‘Moving forward’ has become somewhat of a famous saying in recent times, however, have we really thought about what the future holds if we continue down the same path.

Wages continue to rise as the cost of living increases, but is this sustainable ‘long term’.

Food is one of our critical necessities and, although production costs are ever increasing, consumer driven pressures, wether by lack of sales, or cheap imports, is forever holding prices back. The simple fact is that the consumer, not the retailer, determines food prices.

Take a watermelon. Often sold for 29c per kilo, about $2.00.

Now they sold for this ten years ago yet they dare not ripen on a Sunday or public holiday, as the farmer can’t afford the wages to pick them.

End result, either stop growing them or import them. Either way, jobs are lost.

IR laws are hitting farmers and retailers hard.

Produce sales at markets are huge, yet, do you really think the Asians manning these stands pay the correct rates of wages, or give a toss about loading on a Sunday. I doubt many even pay the correct taxes; yet, our unions seem hell bent on only harassing the legit business, while ignoring these operators.

Now I accept that when the cost of living rises, people require more to live, but is this sustainable moving forward.

Now I’m not talking about tomorrow, or next year, look at 20 or 30 years from now where farmers will be paying something like $50 per hour, normal rates if wages increase by just 3% per annum. Sundays or P/H, don’t even go there.

Remember, this is only one cost.

What effects will that have on food production?

China knows, that’s why they’re buying our farmlands.

The population sceptics say ‘don’t worry, we won’t run out of food as we export 65% of what we produce’, derr! This is what helps drive our economy. Stop selling this, then what. Remember, 30 years from now most resources may well be gone. Then what!

Moving forwards is a HUGE CHALLENGE that may well involve moving backwards

Your racism undermines any validity in the rest of your argument.

Get used to it rechtub we are about to re elect the ALP.

Mikk, surely you're not suggesting I am wrong here with regards to the market stalls.

Boy that's a brave move!

What! Not the usual 'increased majority crap'Belly,now as for your response, well that's almost an admition of guilt from you that you don't care a less, don't you think!

Unfortunately though, it is typicle of a unionist. Screw the boss for whatever you can, holding little regard for the generations to follow.

So, do you think we have a sustainable IR system?

Or are you simply going to turn to the usual 'name calling', making me out to be the big bad oga.

Facts are facts mate, best we all give this some serious consideration.

Now as for the election, we, the people, have already lost.

You see the current coalition is a mere fragment of its former self and, the labor that beat the former coalition is fighting just to defeat this depleted colalition.

Yet another race to the bottom. Nothing to be proud about old mate.

Wow, so Asians are dishonest in business according to you. Nice.

Ok, let's just look at that for a moment.

Do you really think that these stall opperators pay 2&1/2 times the nomal rate of pay on a sunday while almost giving away thier goods.

I for one very much doubt it, what do you think?

Now you are simply trying to make this thread into a racist debate. Good try, but your ploy won't work on me.

So let's look beyond the asians. Take the recent ekka in brisbane.

Are we to assume all these stall opperators toed the IR line on the public holiday and sunday?

Are we also to assume each and every one of them passes on all the GST that was paid over the ten days of the show?

My point is not one of rascisum, that's your point. My point is that the unions appear to want nothing what so ever to do with these opperators.

Incidently, illegal operations of small businesses is rife and, will be one of the few ways businesses will be able to survive, moving forward. They simply will not be able to afford to pay ligit wages and remain competetive, and that's a crying shame.