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Re: Asylum Makes a Comeback
Originally Posted by Ulujain
Well said Damon. Too few people realise Australia's population is very much a slave to potable water supplies. Desalination is extremely expensive and I wouldn't willingly drink artesian bore water.
In saying so, reverse osmosis desalination can pump out water at something like $2.20 a megalitre which is cheaper than setting up an average sized dam (say, Warragamba or Tinaroo). I'v been lead to believe that initial costs for the desalination plant itself are high. A desalination plant for Perth My understanding is that desal now can provide water at the about the same cost as a new dam, factoring in capital costs. Dubai uses combined distillation from electric power plant waste heat and reverse osmosis. Distillation is too expensive to compete in Aus. |
Re: Asylum Makes a Comeback
Originally Posted by Ulujain
Or someone who knows a thing or two about military readinesses, alliances, etc.
Simply having a population superiority does not equate to a military one. The Bali bombing was performed by terrorists, not agencies of the Indonesian Govt. Indonesia has an uneasy relationship, as you put it, with many of its neighbours. It disputes territory with Malaysia, for starters. Indonesia is also beset by internal strife with breakaway movements in a number of places. So, Indonesia has more to be worried about than some rivalry with Australia. You correct that a superior population does not make a militarily superior nation but a change to a military regime on a war footing could change that. The target of the Bali bombings was westerners in general not Australians but the war on Iraq has put Britons and Australian in the cross hairs. |
Re: Asylum Makes a Comeback
Originally Posted by MikeStanton
Secondly, economy-wise, Oz is still living in the 1950s. It needs to become much more focussed on producing higher value-added goods - not eternally ripping stuff out of the ground and flogging it. Part of the problem is wrapped-up in the anti-intellectualism that exists in Oz culture (ie 2 fingers up to R&D). Oz needs to change quickly, not just because of the environmental damage : also because without it, Oz's relative standard of living will continue to decline. ~1960, if I recall correctly, Oz had the highest standard of living in the world - now, it is at - what? - 10th? 12th?
I'm sure there are many businesses in Aus only too interested to know which higher value-added goods they could produce more profitably in Aus than elsewhere. Suggestions? |
Re: Asylum Makes a Comeback
Then do go to Indonesia. I can't see given what Indonesia is capable of, how it can be offensive towards Ozzies if you don't visit the country at all.
Indonesia doesn't have nuclear weapons, it doesn't have any WMD. It has no economic clout, nor military power, so what is there to fear? Don't forget there are other Asian countries that have both.
Originally Posted by MikeStanton
You are kidding, aren't you? Based on what evidence? The Bali bombing - deliberately targetting Aussies - was a shot across the Australian government's bow. Oz has an uneasy relationship with Indonesia - and given there are 10 Indonesians for every Aussie, only the naive or hopelessly optimistic would never see them as a threat.
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Re: Asylum Makes a Comeback
Originally Posted by jessybrissy
Then do go to Indonesia. I can't see given what Indonesia is capable of, how it can be offensive towards Ozzies if you don't visit the country at all.
Indonesia doesn't have nuclear weapons, it doesn't have any WMD. It has no economic clout, nor military power, so what is there to fear? Don't forget there are other Asian countries that have both. |
Re: Asylum Makes a Comeback
Originally Posted by bondipom
It is the proximity of Indonesia. Indonesia also has huge potential for Australia because of the proximity and potential market. Better to engage and trade than fear but never underestimate the potential of the nation.
Your earlier comparisons with Weimar-era Germany are a little off. Indonesia isn't under the yoke of any treaty limiting its military. Nor is it blaming sections of its population for any perceived economic weaknesses. As far as I know, the Weimar Republic didn't have six or so secessionist disputes to deal with. Indonesia has already had a couple of dictators. |
Re: Asylum Makes a Comeback
some good arguments here.
Migrants are always useful. According to a UK politician friend of mine, they often are willing to take the much needed, low paid jobs that appear to be below the whims of locals (I am not being dismissive or negative here) so they are a boon when everyone is hell bent on being a management consultant or lifestyle tertiary sector employee. He is trying to get some families in to local London boroughs without success. Numbers are not necessarily a factor in warfare. Numbers will prevail in certain situations, but force multipliers and specialist equipment is as important. BM |
Re: Asylum Makes a Comeback
I remember when I was a kid the local corner shops used to be run by white brits and they used to keep ridiculously short hours and several seemed to run the shop to suit themselves. When I lived in Wakefield the Indian couple who ran our local shop opened from 6am - 10 pm and DOUBLED the size of the shop. That's convenience for you.
So is being able to get a taxi anytime and access to decent curries. :) |
Re: Asylum Makes a Comeback
Originally Posted by Gareth W
I remember when I was a kid the local corner shops used to be run by white brits and they used to keep ridiculously short hours and several seemed to run the shop to suit themselves. When I lived in Wakefield the Indian couple who ran our local shop opened from 6am - 10 pm and DOUBLED the size of the shop. That's convenience for you.
So is being able to get a taxi anytime and access to decent curries. :) I remember on Xmas Mornings the only shop open selling Batteries was the local Paki's shop. Now thats convenience. :) |
Re: Asylum Makes a Comeback
Originally Posted by Bordy
I remember on Xmas Mornings the only shop open selling Batteries was the local Paki's shop. Now thats convenience. :)
You see ? IMMIGRATION WORKS ! |
Re: Asylum Makes a Comeback
Originally Posted by Gareth W
You see ? IMMIGRATION WORKS !
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Re: Asylum Makes a Comeback
Originally Posted by Bordy
I'm all for it.
I asked my Dad and he said "fish & "chips". Vive le difference I say (but don't take that to mean I've got any time for the French) |
Re: Asylum Makes a Comeback
Originally Posted by Gareth W
Vive le difference I say (but don't take that to mean I've got any time for the French)
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Re: Asylum Makes a Comeback
Originally Posted by Gareth W
On a related point - what did people eat after they'd been out on the pop back in the pre-immigration era ? No kebabs, curries, pizzas, chinese....
I asked my Dad and he said "fish & "chips". Vive le difference I say (but don't take that to mean I've got any time for the French) If you mean what did the Anglo-Celtic folk eat? Steak and taters, of course, with boiled cabbage. |
Re: Asylum Makes a Comeback
Originally Posted by Ulujain
Define pre-immigration era. There's been Chinese and Italians in Australia since the 1850's.
If you mean what did the Anglo-Celtic folk eat? Steak and taters, of course, with boiled cabbage. Fancy that eh ? Pissed out of your mind and only mince & cabbage to go at. :scared: |
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