Rob - what you're saying is completely correct, but fails to address so many of the key points it resembles one of those blind ideologies you're talking about.

Yeah, business generates wealth. One good way to generate wealth is to cut costs. This can be done through reducing wages.

If our number one priority is wealth and the standard of living, then what are you proposing to protect the rights of employees? Do you really believe the government has the motivation and capability of doing this?

RobP'

Silly me. Its those greedy multi billionaire Union Bosses at fault.Coles, Woolies havnt crushed all the small Butchers, Greengrocers,corner delis, liquor shops etc etc etc. It was the Bully Unions.When we are a wealthy country things will improve. I cant wait for the Packers, Murdochs and Loweys to get a fair go whilst trying to make a buck. The day that BHP Billiton frees its neck from the Union Jackboot will be joyous indeed. When will our Banking CEO's get a fair shake, i am sick of the Nations cream going to the cleaners who are destroying our Nation as i type. Keep smoking RobP.

TRTL – I agree. I address about half the key points, if you’re talking about the full debate. If the debate turned to social equity and rights, I’d agree that the unions do some good there.

To answer your last question first, no, I don’t think Howard has the motivation and capability of protecting employees. But he won’t be around forever and some of the more discerning journos in the press gallery are saying he’ll leave in the next term of government if he wins the election. So, in this case, your problem melts away like the spring snow.

As to making proposals about how to help workers, I’m not about to as it’s a new area whose pathway will only become clear when there’s no other option but to change. I don’t think anyone really knows what will happen. Besides, in the end, it’s the job of the ALP to come up with the proposals and prosecute its case. What I do know is that the new system must combine and keep alive the virtues of both business and social equity. How to do this is the big question.

Also, business does not necessarily have to cut wages to generate wealth. They can do it by being innovative and making new products and services that people are prepared to pay for. In the global economy, this may be the way for Australia to create greater wealth.

RUAWAKE... spot on....but remember what Jesus did to the money changers in the Temple :)
cheers.

I wonder if the declining productivity numbers are a natural response as a greater percentage of people enter the workforce.

As less experienced, marginal workers are employed (because there are fewer high productivity workers unemployed), the productivity should drop.

As an aside, how is productivity measured anyway

Good point Miner. The answer is - the same way employment / unemployment is meausured. Whatever way suits thier arguement. They are useless statements most of the time.