The latest of the job losses, albeit, temporary, they say, is the result of a components supplier struggling to meet it's financial commitments.

I am afraid this may well be just the tip of the iceberg, as many businesses out ther are doing it really tough.

In fact, many are behind in their rent, that's if they are paying rent at all.

Retail is one of the hardest hit sectors, tourism and manufacturing as well, with many land lords trapped in the 'dammed if you do, dammed if you don't sinario, as, if they boot thier tenant out, they are often left with an empty shop, or, the incoming tenant is not paying rent either.

In fact, her in QLD, some LL's are starting to see the big picture and are slashing rents by as much as 50%, adopting the view of 'something is better than nothing'.

Now while that may seem like the way to go, many of them are also finding it hard to meet commitments, as rents for are their only source of income.

So when the likes of Ford are let down by a supplier this must play heavily on the minds of the brains trust, especially when it comes to major business investments.

As I warned four odd years ago, when the government effects both business and consumer confidence, look out. Well, they have done just that.

They have effected confidence in a number of ways.

First, was the new IR laws, which for many are unworkable.

Then, Mr Swan was out there telling us for so long what great shape we were in, only to now tell us, only a few months latter to brace ourselves.

I am afraid that this Ford situation may not be an isolated case.

To be the best, as Mr Swan see us, we don't have to be good, just better than the rest.

Of cause, we still have the soon to be introduced CT and the fuel rebate reversal for business to swallow.

So, for those with blinkers on, do you still think all is rosy?

Yes, business sources on the ABC Sunday a few weeks ago indicated that landlords are going to have to reduce rent for retail places. Retail is indeed in big trouble, as will be those who bought land based on certain expected returns.

New problems for Australia keep on mounting

Do you butch think it's fair to put the blame for consumer confidence on the govt; whether that is state or fed;
Lets not mention the GFC.
AU consumers are electing to bye cars from overseas, smaller and cheaper.
Retail is declining, and probably needs to, for it to be sustainable for the ones that persist.
I do not know of anyone with problems with the industrial laws. Employers were happy to see the end of work choices, it had an image problem.
Properties are probably better to forgo some rent as opposed to no rent.
AU is in transition, greatly due to the exorbitant wages mining company's are paying, which has depleted manufacturers of staff.
The mining sector is overheated and needs to contract, or else problems will not improve.

The blame may be laid at Fords feet too.
Growing contract price pressures are not new.
Cole's/Woolworth's have driven farmers to the brink under all forms of government.
And continue to do so.
Car components manufacturers have been in this spot before.
I doubt rents is other than a part of the financial strife they are in.
Land lord has every right to be paid, as you would know,if it was not for political advantage you can gain from such story's Rechtub.
Land lords often, too often, drive small businesses broke.
I however can see no government intervention that would not look like socialism.

You can tell 579 has never run a business in his life.He/she has absolutely no clue.

I reckon 579 is a staffer for some Labor polly. No one else but such could be so one eyed.

If I am right, the comments make sense, as no Labor staffer would ever have got close to any business, except funny business of course. Such a person could not be expected to have a clue of how it worked, & is probably wondering why, other than by the shadow of the Abbott in their opinion, so many are going down the tube.

Yes I know, they have been told a hundred times, but then we don't control the keys to the lodge so they can't hear us.

What we need is a major research project to try to find how to turn their collective hearing aids on. Unfortunately somehow I think you have to have control of those lodge keys to do it.