Yabby,

Bah yourself. Your say there is no such thing as corporate greed and you would be right. What corporate greed really is- a bunch of greedy people and often with no morals or compassion. People who think they can be faceless and hide behind a paper identity. No such thing mate.
The one thing I do agree with you on is population & that farmers get a bad deal- there that is two.
However isn't it the corporates themselves thats screwed the farmers of Australia. Isn't it the cooperates and share holders- all people who have mis lead our Australian farmers. My oath it is. Its most certainly has been the corporate greed in my strong opinion of companies like Elders AWB Landmark just to mention a few that have contributed if not solely created a disaster for this country.
Together also imop Packer and Murdock with their political friends both live exporters in their days mislead the farmers and regional areas & worked with their special brand of free trade using OUR Tax payers $ to set themselves up in misery of millions of Australia Animals using OUR $ to do it all over the world.

It is corporate greed indeed along with political help from friends in high places that took jobs from the bush. It is corporate greed that was the cause of thousands losing their jobs & still IS.

Ammonite

Thanks for the clarification.

<< …we can still make room for immigrants - we don't need to close our borders entirely >>

Absolutely.

<< … SOME immigration (including the tiny percentage that is boat people) is viable. >>

Definitely some immigration, but no onshore asylum seeking. An increased refugee intake via our offshore programs instead.

<< Same goes for trade, I don't expect us to cease selling coal and uranium any time soon… >>

Hmmm, coal yes. Uranium? Not so sure about that.

<< Ceasing the 'baby bonus' would be a far better move >>

We should definitely knock that piece of political bribery on the head.

But that’s all a bit tangential to the subject at hand.

As I’ve said, I think we’re screwed when it comes to untempered (or insufficiently tempered) corporate greed, especially in relation to the push for continuous growth.

I asked: what can we do about it?

Rob had a good attempt at answering this.

Can I request a response from you and Yabby. Thanks

<< but if its Govt, then it seemingly does not matter how many billions are peed up against walls in the name of Govt depts. As long as they seemingly mean well, that is all that seems to matter. Bah. Govt should be held to account, just like any other organisation >>

Of course they should, Yabby.

I’ve been a scientist in the public service for a couple of decades. I’ve also worked in private enterprise consultancies. The contrast is extraordinary.

Ludwig, I think I already answered your question. Economies grow
because people want more. Politicians reflect the will of the people.
I've stated before that the number one elephant in the room is the
ever rising population. Another billion added to the global population in just the last 12 years. Nobody seems to care, it seems
they will only start to take notice when the place is even more
overcrowded. Its not corporations stopping women in the third
world from accessing family planning, but institutions like the
dear old Catholic Church.

Rob, at least you admit the double standard. You accept it, I don't.
But this:

*The current carbon tax saga is a clear evidence thereof*

I don't think that is evidence at all. What many are saying is that
if you are going to slug people huge amounts and make Australian
industry less efficient, you need a jolly good reason for doing so.
A feelgood scheme is not enough, which is what the Govt scheme largely
is.

Gertrude I'm not even going to argue economics with you. SM is correct, sorry but your knowledge of economics is so poor, that it
is pretty pointless. Yes I've read Tony's website, he's even argued
on OLO, no he does not have the answers lol, even if he is from
the Gold Coast. So its frankly easier just to ignore your posts
until you gain a better understanding. Tariffs arn't going to
solve anything, just make Australians much poorer.

Corporate greed is endemic in this country, sadly. Over the years I have watched the Australian ethos of 'give 'em a fair go' descend out of control over the decades of my life. It isn't just the Corporate sector being greedy and self serving, a certain sector of our Society, is all about "me, me, and more me".
With absolute horror, I watched an American politician, stand up in front of the TV camera, holding his little girl (I would guess about 5.y.o.), obviously prompted by her father, after a discussion on Hospital and Health matters, say: "My Daddy said that if you are poor, you don't deserve to get Medical help" (that is as close as I can get to
quoting the comment as I can). That sort of comment is strange,(and absolutely appalling coming from a so-called deeply religious nation) I hope that their philosophy doesn't spread this far.

Dear Col Rouge,

In answer to your questions - as you must surely realise we've all been sold a "bill of goods," as far as the US is concerned. Advertising is what they excel at. So of course most people fall for
the line that the streets there are "paved with gold." Therefore they
view the country as some form of "Utopia," and hence the great desire
to live there. Once there however, the picture changes rapidly, and the vision of "Utopia" for some can quickly disappear. As for people fleeing totalitarian regimes - which I assume is what you were referring to - well I know you're not being serious here - but you're simply stirring. In any case take an intelligent guess and I'm sure that you'll be able to answer your own question.