Blog comments

• I still believe Nth Korea will only be resolved by diplomacy, economic assistance & development. Starving & desperate populations make the worst enemies. Long-term, I believe we have to spend money on R&D & create jobs for our future. The mineral boom will not last forever, apart from potential developing mineral exporters like South Africa, Afghanistan etc. Developing nations can afford to exercise greater discounts on commodities. GW may facilitate this country becoming the world's major food bowl, particularly considering Russia's recent depleted wheat harvest due to extreme weather. The US are also being affected by loss of significant food production areas. ONE wet winter & massive country floods does compensate this country for a history of droughts. Water is still our most critical commodity. Rising temperatures translates to greater amounts of water in the atmosphere & extreme weather, but it also means increased rates of evaporation. One season of mid 40's - 50C temperatures & water reserves could be history, apart from increased threat of extreme fires & water contamination. Don't kid yourselves, we could suffer the same fate as Russia. Potential crops DO NOT become reality until they are successfully harvested. We also still have a 3km locust problem which is not about to disappear overnight~! We could have our BEST wheat harvest being obliterated by our WORST locust outbreak. Global warming is over & Australia has become the land of milk & honey - DREAM ON~!

  Lenny Thursday 9 September, 2010 - 2:33 PM

• Steve, you want to be the 'man' on 3AW, let's just deal with the facts: If it wasn't for Labor's stimulus package, THIS country would be in DEEP SHIT~!! There are ongoing fears for weaker economies in countries such as Greece, Ireland & Portugal, particularly in relation to defaulting on their debts, PLUS a huge concern about the exposure of some of Europe's biggest banks, particularly the discovery that they hid their real exposure during the recent 'stress tests'. Greece is insolvent, and Portugal & Ireland are going to find it difficult to repay interest on their debts. Spain & Italy don't exactly offer any further greater degree of comfort or confidence. We have industrial unrest in France, and concerns that the recent bank stress tests were totally inadequate, particularly when German banks will most likely require a further injection of 105 billion Euros of fresh capital (one of the stronger banking systems). We are living in DENIAL~! The US have an employment rate of between 10 & 11% and are struggling to stimulate their economy. We are progressively slipping into a double dig recession. China has its own unique set of problems ie a booming economy, the threat of a wages explosion & potential civil unrest, apart from a possible downturn in demand, which would dramatically affect our mineral exports. We have developing economies in South Africa (including iron ore & mineral exports), plus potential mineral exports from Afghanistan. Things are not exactly looking too rosy for Australia, or world economies. Before you give me another 'ra ra' session about the Liberal party, we BOTH know which party contributed to & collectively precipitated the world's greatest financial collapse due to GREED, IGNORANCE & STUPIDITY~!

  Lenny Thursday 9 September, 2010 - 2:32 PM

• The Greens are the most destructive political party this country has, any fool who believes in them needs to read there idiotic policies.

  janet page Thursday 9 September, 2010 - 10:38 AM

• Why is it the law we have to Vote in Australia

  col Thursday 9 September, 2010 - 8:56 AM

• It amazes me how all these doomsdayers are ranting about a minority govt. (Neil included!)
  GET OVER IT and give it a go. For decades regional Oz has been in the shadows of the big cities so its only fair they get more of the money pie & more of a say. How couldn't the indy's support Labor when the conservatives just wanted to continue the slash & burn policies of the past !!

  dave Wednesday 8 September, 2010 - 4:41 PM

• Jason, it will be fascinating to watch the Greens being held to account for their policies in the same way as both the major parties are. Even former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said earlier this week, that he was looking forward to a much more critical eye being cast over the Greens manifesto. Company Tax up to 33%, top personal incvome tax of 50%; a carbon tax; a preference for K-Rudd's RSPT over the MRRT, support for Wild Rivers legislation, constraints on commercial fishing and so on and so forth. It's going to be one ghell of a ride.

  steve murphy Wednesday 8 September, 2010 - 4:34 PM