So, some people here think Australia's economy relies on nothing else I assume?

Does anyone here want anything "made in Australia". I do, but if some of the comments here are anything to go by they don't.

Some clearly want people overseas used for cheap labor, whilst the same items can be sold in Australia in shops, which see the items transported (to shops) emitting fumes which impact on health, climate change, the shops employ people in Australia and the flow on effects are multiple, like cheap items ending up in landfill, in waterways and throughout the wider environment. This is due to western world policy - including Australia! People can't simply keep denying these issues.

Australia is part of the bigger picture.

In terms of the Bangladesh factory, that is only one example. The people were paid about $3.00 per hour and the items were sold in shops like K-mart, Target etc.

Is it right for Australians to be part of that? Many are ignorant and unaware. In their minds they will accept that type of activity as normal practice, but economic activity is a global industry of which Australia plays an important part and our unsustainable, buy, use and throw away approach to living and our unsustainable economy must be thrown out.

Australia's schools are generally uninspiring, leading to people in inept jobs. Many people studying in Universities end up working in other areas of employment.

The way farmers are treated in Australia cannot continue. Their poor pay rates from large supermarkets is disrespectful to their hard work.

Many people are underpaid for their work and there is limited flexibility in the workplace. For those who work in 24 hour petrol stations, these should be generally gone, as the negative impacts on one's body clock working at 3:00 am is not good for one's health.

Wake up Australia!

NathanJ,
Why are there so many poor in Bangladesh ? Would they object to birth control if it were available to them for free ?
Yes, sweat shops provide some meagre income because Australians buy the wares but were they to pay slightly more then perhaps children would not have to work. The Bangladesh Govt should impose export duties for any buyer outside the country.
Are their bureaucrats honest enough though to manage that fairly ?
All I can say is, if you don't limit your population growth, your problems will grow with it !
Compassion is dying fast in the West if our present Generation is already complaining about People who have worked & paid taxes for 50+ years, getting an old age pension. What chance is there for Bangladesh to get support from this Generation ?

"In terms of the Bangladesh factory, that is only one example."

Example of what, exactly? Certainly not anything to do with the Australian economy.

The fact that Bangladeshi workers get paid $3.00 an hour has nothing to do with the Australian economy either. It's to do with Bangladeshi employers, and that the things that workers have to buy are commensurately cheap. It is absurd to compare Third World standards of living with those of the First World.

Australians should be required to pass an intelligence test before they can vote.

Wake up, Nathan!

There is no art which one government sooner learns of another than that of draining money from the pockets of the people.

— Adam Smith

Australians should be required to pass an intelligence test before they can vote.
ttbn,
How many times has that been proposed & never got off the ground because a permanent Conservative Govt. would need an opposition within.