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Roads in Australia, in general, are in shocking condition – haven’t been updated in years – and we are paying the price for that now.
Hospitals, ports, rail and airports all need a good boost. Being a member of the Institution of Engineers, I believe the infrastructure scorecard for Australia is currently sitting at a C rating, or even a D+. Far from where we aspire this country to go and be!
It is times like these that we can manoeuvre Australia into a position that can “strike whilst the iron is hot” in the future, instead of starting infrastructure projects when it is too late to harness upswings in the global economy and consumption of Australian products.
In my 31 years on this earth, the last economic stimulus package was by far the worst and most flagrant example of irresponsible fiscal policy – conducted in a way to secure votes, not jobs.
Australia can’t afford another one.
Buying metals and stockpiling, or real sizeable investment in infrastructure (which consumes said metals and creates jobs) are two examples of responsible fiscal policy and principles which the Rudd government seem to ignore – instead of vying for votes.
I shudder to think what is in store in coming weeks and months if Rudd and his cronies continue along this dangerous line.
Tom Cobcroft
Mining engineer
