Both parties drive car-making myth

[Ranga]

Peter Hartcher SMH on Ford (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/both-parties-drive-carmaking-myth-20130527-2n7ge.html)

An interesting read.

[superquag]

... If I were a 'Conspiracy Theorist" I'd find it easy to believe that there was an international agreement amongst the rich & powerful, to keep Australia as a mere hole in the ground, a primary producer that does'nt add any real value to its minerals and primary produce. - and to sell off (overseas) anything to do with either...
- Who owns many of the seed companies that supply our farmers with cleaned, ready to be sown grain? Or handles the grain harvests?
Likewise, where's the metal processing industry? South Australia used to produce some of the best tool-grade steel in the world. Now, I doubt if there's anyone around who knows how to make pig-iron from our ore, let alone remember doing it....:mad:

There's not much more of 'The Farm' to sell off. :o

I'd say that the most efficient method to keeping us under...is to hoodwink the pollies who will in turn distract the stupid sheep, siphon off every excess dollar in subsidies and no-strings gifts, cause huge, unsustainable expenses upon the state...and encourage any and everything that weakens our principles. Appeal to the 'now', live in THE moment, devalue the things that built our society...
Gosh, that sounds familiar !!!

Another interesting read, a link from the above site.
Paul Sheehan: Psychopaths using Islam to justify their bloodlust (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/twisting-islam-to-justify-cruelty-20130526-2n535.html)

[Tombie]

South Australia still IS making some of the finest grade steel...

Our product exceeds 200 and 300 grade specs and our specialty steels (alloys) are high spec.

Whilst not setting the world on fire due to many factors including a falsely inflated Aussie Dollar we're holding our own :cool:


For reference - these "holes in the ground" we refer to cover less area than suburban driveways...


Those voicing opinions seem to be able to 'compartmentalise' all these factors when voicing opinions...
There are many, many influences as to why things happen.
Imports exceeding exports, money flowing overseas, businesses closing down, downsizing or moving to a low staff online service.

We are all in some way accountable for what has happened..

Look at the family unit - very common for both partners to be working to survive, let alone live... High levels of debt... Housing way in excess of need; often higher than ever utilised. Over priced properties, highly inflated wages and salary packages...

Excessive greed or as we call it Capatilism :)

IT jobs arent worth a pinch if theres no-one to support
Cars are useless if people cant afford to buy them (or they dont suit our use)
The internet is nothing but an overgrown showroom and shopping cart

People have lost touch with the core of being... Instead turning to the values of aquisition rather than community.

Arrrggggghhhh.......No I'm all frustrated...

[Ferret]

South Australia used to produce some of the best tool-grade steel in the world. Now, I doubt if there's anyone around who knows how to make pig-iron from our ore, let alone remember doing it....:mad:

I'm pretty sure the blast furnace and the steelmaking guys from Whyalla and Port Kembla still remember what they were doing yesterday.

And my guess is the Australian guys who were instrumental in developing the HiSmelt process, specifically suited to Australian iron ore characteristics, also know something about processing our ore.

[DiscoMick]

Ford survived the American car industry crash without government subsidies by adopting a 'One Ford' policy of only making one world-class car in each segment. Under that policy, there was no place in the world plan for a large rear-drive sedan from Australia.
The writing has been on the wall for Ford's manufacturing in Oz ever since it decided to make the Fiesta, Focus and Ranger in Thailand rather than here. Ford is just putting its international profitability and future survival ahead of our national interest, which is no surprise at all - the shareholders come first.
Holden with the Cruze and Commodore and Toyota with the Camry have export strategies, which is the only way for them to continue making vehicles here.

[Tombie]

Thanks Ferret :)

We certainly do!

I'm no longer a Steel maker, I transitioned to our mining operations a few years back but I'm back here and the Blast furnace, Caster and rolling mills are all chugging along just fine :D

Mind you, I'm currently loading 2 Cape vessels and working on our 5yr Capacity plan so that bits going nicely too!

[frantic]

Yup super quay still making steel here in port kembla but now with only half production also loading coal and coke onto handies and Panamax vessels for export to make steel less efficiently/ more polluting O/S;) thank you Julia , bob and high dollar.
But don't get me started on the recent closure of tube makers at kembla grange whilst bob n Julia are ok with the wind turbines being imported from china. Just watched another being unloaded.