Hi Rechtub,
Yeah, you're spot on about public sector trained tradesmen.
My brother is a trainer in the mining industry and he tells me that many of the deisel and hydraulic mechanics come out of the military.
But one of the reasons I like the mining tax is that if it is distributed back into society via various programmes, then consumers have a bit more cash in their pockets and so might spend more which will in turn help, for example, the retail sector.
But of course, that only reinforces your other point. Even if retail did improve where would they get more workers from.
Still, it's the right kind of problem to have. Far better than Spain with over 20% unemployment.
That really sucks.
Cheers, anthony
http://www.observationpoint.com.au

Anton, I wonder how the likes of Spain calculates. Employment, because if you truly look at our 'real unemployment' it's up there as well.

Now as for staff being poached, just imagine how many of these would have chosen to stay put, had thier employer been able to match, or even come close, to the wages on offer from the mines.

You see the disparity in wages has been caused wholly and soley by the mines, so, shouldn't it be they who pay the price.

I had an experience recently with my tractor and when I questioned the workmanship, the boss threw his hands up and said, I just can't get good mechanic as all I can pay is $56 per hour.

Of cause that $56 turns into $90 that is charged to cover outgoings, yet mechanics at the mines are on around the $150 to $200K per year, 2 on 2 off and chances are this guy, or similar trained them.

Now as for the mining tax, do you seriously think we will see anything out of it.

After all, we have a huge black hole to fill first and jobs are being slashed and iconic brand names like WOW are closing up shop.

Finally, I don't know you stance on our employment/economy, but what I can tell you is that there are thousands of resumes being received by mining companies every day and so many workers/apprentices simp,y view their current job as a 'stop gap' role until they get into the mines.

It is a very serious problem, and one that will come back to bite us big time if we are not careful.

The byproduct of mining is the country is stripped of its natural wealth.
If AU is not properly compensated for its natural wealth, we are idiots.
Tom price has been mined since the early 60's and still going strong.
Keeps Gina in pocket money.
Someone offering bigger wages to gain staff is nothing new.
Mining is not for everybody, so lets not panic.
There is currently 190,000 jobs on offer at 8.3.12 so there are plenty to go around.
What would happen if it were not for immigration.
Mining is updating with driverless trucks, and driverless trains.
This in turn will save them big bucks on wages, so they can pay more tax.

Both rechtub and 579 make good points.
I'd like to think we'll get something from the mining tax. Personally, I would like to see it beefed up. Investment certainly wouldn't be slowed any, that's clear from the way the industry has shrugged off the mining tax and the carbon tax.
In both cases, the miners swore that the industry would be mortally wounded, but actually investment has continued to grow at a phenomenal pace.
The thing I worry about is that this two speed economy is going to send skills offshore in manufacturing and other industry groups and once the mining boom does end, we'll have lost the skills needed to be able to compete in other areas.
But the more I think about it, the more I conclude that we're debating only parts of a huge picture, which is of the developed world going through a transition at least as profound as the Industrial Revolution.
And who can guess what the end result will look like?
As some wit said, "Making predictions is always difficult, especially about the future."
Overall though, I still think I'll stick with optimism. No especially good reason, it's just easier to live with.
Anthony
http://www.observationpoint.com.au