Couple of things

[JW Frogen]

Trouble is, mining when it really booms like it did up till late '07 destroys manufacturing. China keeping currency low did not help!

Mining here actually helps all sorts of added value, from mine machinery to the trades that must support the process, even creating skill shortages that lifted trade wages in non-mining business.

The problem is mining commodities is a capital-intensive business yet the price of such commodities can be volatile.

What I am talking about is our over reliance on the service industry which brings no real added value to the long term health of the economy, business which just rely on us all consuming, much of it by borrowing but do not really help the nation’s economic growth in relation to it's trade balance or long term growth.

We can only buy and sell crap we do not make on credit for so long before we no longer can.

[slimD]

I'm glad I don't live in Queensland. Imagine having to choose between Bligh and Springborg as your preferred premier. It would be like having to choose between getting stabbed or getting shot as your preferred way to die.

or choosing between rees and what his name.

[Jovial Monk]

Yes, mining does bring with it a support industry. I was talking about the general manufacturing sector. This has faced the twin problems of the high wages paid by mining companies and cheap imports made by exploited labor and an artifically low exchange rate in China.

Apart from steel and carmaking (highly subsidised) not a lot of manufacturing left!