"The cost of the water produced will be almost twice as much as for current supplies, at $1.11 per kilolitre." (kl = m^3)

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.

Never forget that economic strife in Germany caused the nation to accept Hitler the consequences of which we all know about. Indonesia''s economic problems could well produce a similiar situation. I am not saying it will but it is a possibility.

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.

R&D consumes capital, profitable application of technology produces capital. Almost all technology developed in Aus will have it's most profitable application outside Aus. More often Aus is best served by selecting the most profitable proven technologies - not neccessarily the latest - and applying them.

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?

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.

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.

Which is exactly what Australia does. Keeping in mind Australia's conciliatory (and recreant) attitude towards Indonesia with the East Timor incident in the 70's. Australia isn't going to provoke Indonesia too much in the near future. Not if common sense prevails.

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.

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

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.

You see ? IMMIGRATION WORKS !

I'm all for it.

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)

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.

You misunderstand me - I meant the pre-immigration era in the UK. Probably the early to mid 1950's before the West Indians were encouraged to come over.

Fancy that eh ? Pissed out of your mind and only mince & cabbage to go at. :scared: