The prime minister has spoken about wanting Australia to make ‘so many more things here’. But the fact is places like the US and Asia have us beat.
Why does Australia get into silly, dead-end arguments about manufacturing? Especially about big shiny things or new technologies? We all know we’re not good at it, don’t have a big enough market, and just can’t compete with the likes of the United States, China, Japan, South Korea or much of Europe.
Cars, trucks, computers, fast trains, slow trains and ships are just some of the harebrained ideas put forward by politicians, unions and the urgers and coat-tuggers in business who can sense a government handout or free million in “research and development”.
On Wednesday it was the prime minister’s turn. Anthony Albanese waxed lyrical at the National Press Club about batteries, renewables and manufacturing.
Read more about the folly of trying to compete on manufacturing.
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