A GM spokesman just told on the news that even if the Aus Govt would have produced another bail-out package they still would have closed Holden.
I'd say this would be an ideal opprortunity for an australian company to produce no-frills cars designed for australian conditions instead of importing so much.

Shaggy Dog

'As have senior under performing management on obscene salaries. ' I agree although when it is done with tax payers money.

'We desperately need forward thinking people not the hacks currently occupying the seats in Canberra. '

and who do you suggest?

Runner,
That is a very good question. How many seats does the Govt hold. Ninety isn't it? There has got to be some talent amid that many members.
I like many LNP voters carried a lot of reservations into the last election as what was being touted as the front bench could not be described as inspiring and now in power the concerns are becoming fact.
TA and team are back in the Howard era, the country and global situation has changed a great deal since then, we badly need some forward thinkers.
There has got to be some talent lurking on the back benches, they couldn't all be duds making it up as they go along.
SD

Runner,

So the evil unions have made our wages too high but we should stop the 457 workers because their wages are too low and taking away our jobs?

Sounds like a bit of a conflicted argument to me.

Do you suggest getting rid of the unions so we can have our wages reduced to 457 worker levels?

Given the constantly increasing profits announced by many corporations, perhaps the real culprit is the corporate greed for even higher returns by reducing input costs.

Is the reason for the 457s a lack of skilled local workers or just greed?

wobbles

'So the evil unions have made our wages too high but we should stop the 457 workers because their wages are too low and taking away our jobs '

I don't know if I would call unions 'evil ' . In the past they have done much good. Those in bed with the ALP of recent times have allowed their politics to take over looking after workers. In many cases union thuggery has been a badge of honour when applying for ALP jobs. Look at the incompetent sisterhood most of whom were promoted through the union ranks. Even the current Government look like saints compared to their nasty incompetent reign.
I have no doubt many big companies have employed 457 workers deceitfully, largely due to unfordable demands by unions. In some places cleaners receive $200000 plus in remote locations. Anyone with a brain knows that this is not sustainable. On the other hand in Western Australia many teachers, nurses etc refuse to leave the city and then complain about not having a job. 457 teachers and nurses often bring down the standards but are willing to work in remote locations for less than what the unions demand for their members. Quite complex really.

Do you suggest getting rid of the unions so we can have our wages reduced to 457 worker levels?
wobbles,
there are many public servants who'd still be overpaid even at the 457 level. Unions are good & they are necessary but in Australia they're not independent. As long as they align with the ALP they'll never regain the the purpose for which they were formed.
People need to take responsibility too not just keep claiming higher & higher wages. Too many workers are in fact not worth what they get paid & my guess is we're actually not that far from a crack-down on pay vs productivity. It's well overdue. The unfairness has to stop. Many lives are suffering deprivation of one form or another because of it.
Just because the majority of minorities have no compassion for others does not make such a system morally acceptable. Ask anyone who has integrity.