Dear Ludwig,

I watched the Insiders this morning and listened
to Greg Combet's answers to Barrie Cassidy's
questions.

Mr Combet pointed out - this is only
one project - a $10 billion dollar project - that
will employ thousands and thosands of people and it
is one of several in the pipeline that is very
important for the economy.

Combet made it quite
clear that the job of the government was to maintain
a strong economy, spread the benefits of the mining
boom, and to make sure that Australians have the
oportunity to participate in the work. He pointed out
that Australians shall be given the first crack at these
jobs. However, it is important to be aware that
at the end of the day - the government has to
makes sure the labour supply is there to bring these
projects off. Bringing in workers from overseas - has
apparently been going on for quite a few years - and is
nothing new. Of course - there are strict regulations now
in place regarding these overseas workers. Importantly,
that they receive Australian pay and conditions and
understand their rights.

The government does seem to know what it is doing - and
it shall be beneficial to our economy.

Simple seems as good a description as any for your idea Rechtub.
In another rant.thread you claim miners pay enough tax now.
Here you want government, at our cost to train ANY ONE FROM ANY PLACE who wants to work there.
Think the employers should have a say?
Adds could look interesting, wanted butcher, must be able to drive dump truck, pass safety ext, work 12 hour shifts and fly in fly our 12 days on 12 days off, leave the knives at home.
Ah do we import street sweepers for our city's?

What many Australians do not understand is that Australia's mineral wealth is a double edged sword. Mineral wealth does NOT mean automatic wealth for a nation and its people. It means incredible wealth for a very, very small number and great wages for a fraction of a nation's total workforce.
In the 70's the Netherlands discovered big natural gas reserves, with the result that the guilder soared and consequently, so did unemployment. The economists refer to that phenomenon as 'the Dutch disease'. Sounds familiar? Norway discovered oil reserves and were smart enough to learn from the mistakes made by the Netherlands and avoided going down the same path.
First, ask why Australia does not have the workforce for these jobs. It is because we spend very, very little money on actually educating our people for the kind of jobs that are required and neither do the mining companies. It is cheaper to import fully trained people from overseas. Our mineral wealth is not a new discovery, we've always known Australia is rich in minerals. Our employment rate is close to 6% and many, many people are underemployed.

*It is because we spend very, very little money on actually educating our people for the kind of jobs that are required and neither do the mining companies*

Hang on Ivonne, these people actually need to want to be educated.
You can't force kids to go to university or to do an apprenticeship,
if they cannot be bothered and can make good money being unskilled.

I had a female friend only just tell me yesterday, how poorly paid
that she was, earning 19 bucks an hour as a checkout chick. I didn't
even bother mentioning, that if she were in the US, she might be
on 8 bucks, being unskilled.

Australians have simply had it too good for too long, so many don't
need to bother with an education and learning skills. The system
will take care of them, either through various social security
payments or some of the world's highest wages on the planet for
unskilled people.No wonder that some many apprentices drop out

Nice try Belly, but you will have to do better than that to alter what I say.

Firstly, I did not say miners pay enough tax now, rather, I said they pay what the law says they should pay and, it is unfair for them to be accused of not paying their fair share as they are paying the same as any other company pays, 30cents in the dollar, plus royalties.

So I am not debating whether or not they pay enough tax, but that they should not be accused of being tax cheats, which is basically what the government and unions are saying.

The second point of distortion, on your part, is that I did not say that the tax payer should pay to train staff for mining, rather, that the miners have to pay back thier training fees, similar to a hex debt.

As I said, NICE TRY!

Anything to cause an argument, but you have picked on the wrong person as I don't bite mate! Especially to petty crap like that.

It's hard being I'll informed, but I manage.

The government is already down, and out, this will just make sure of it.