April's usually the end of price negotiations for commodities...

More about seizing the moment I think, best time for a company to move offshore without coping the usual amount of grief.

Absolutely bloody pathetic.

I think you're onto something there Tab, although ironically I think it will end up the opposite! I reckon they'll cop MORE grief than they otherwise would have

Its really starting to annoy me where products are made these days. For example. I had corn with my dinner the other day. Had a read of the label and guess what "product of china"

We are seriously selling out this great country of ours and it stinks.

We have already....

yeah I know but FMD its corn FFS

Fair enough but what can I do as one single person that will effect our trillion dollar economy in any way shape or form?

Hey Dillz.

I think you may be missing my point. If you read my posts carefully I havn't said you can DO anything for the economy. What I have said is that you CAN DO something for yourself by being aware of the situation, trying to get out of Debt, and being realising that the party is over. Even the Govt is now saying there is worse pain to come. In Nov-Dec they were saying we were in a strong position to weather what may come.

...Even the Govt is now saying there is worse pain to come. In Nov-Dec they were saying we were in a strong position to weather what may come.

Lesson number 1: Never believe a f%cking word the government says.

The problem is that the labour costs in this country are so high.

China are less than a $1 per hour.

They can import raw materials, process it, and manufacture good and ship it back to where the raw materials originated (here) for less than we can make the finnished goods.

Anyone who is in business knows that labour is a major cost in any goods and service sold.

Like any economy, China will become more expensive and the big business will find another place to whore their workforce to make goods cheaper.

5 years ago I was speaking to a clothing maker consultant. He told me to wait and see what happens in 10 years time (5 now). He said that once all the manufactering moves to China, they will set the prices and we will have to pay for it. They will be able to essentially charge what they want as they have all the factories, skilled workforce and market power.

it is only one persons fault and that is Y O U

We all demand cheaper prices and better quality, but you cannot have both. Labour is what brings quality and cheap labour is what brings cheap prices.

The only way to change this flood overseas is to either put tarrifs on imports or to support local industry with tax breaks. We cannot charge the same level as our country is civilised with holiday pay, sick leave and all the other entitlements that workers enjoy. This costs money and this is why we cost so much to make stuff.

I do not have a majic answer only that this has been happening for years and will continue until nothing is mass made here anymore.

were have all the equity mates gone now as the CBA would say