Time to be self-reliant
MANY people are always bleating about wanting not to leave their grandchildren any debt or inheritance that would limit their prospects of a good life and prosperity.
We all want that so why are some pandering and tugging their forelock to the Chinese and that country’s bullying of other nations into submission with trade threats?
I am nearly 80, so I have a limited number of heartbeats after 20 years-plus in the Australian Army with two operational tours of duty fighting communism, and I have the right to voice an opinion as to where my country is travelling and how it’s governed.
Post World War II, we as a nation strived for self-reliance and sustainability and manufactured items ranging from pins, needles and matches to building ships, cars and aeroplanes through the 1950s and ’60s only to trash all with globalisation.
Now we are importing pins, needles and matches, manufacturing nothing and exporting minerals and agricultural products and services.
We are, I believe, now a Second World nation and not the First World nation we were 40 to 50 years ago.
Those elected to govern us and make plans and decisions for the defence, safety and wellbeing of the people and nation, must now decide whether they return this nation and its citizens to self-reliance and sustainability.
We must not continue down an ever-narrowing road that will lead to a dead-end of being totally reliant on Asia and especially the trade with China.
The primary goal for our future is to develop steel mills.
We need two in the north where iron ore and coal are, the Pilbara and Central Queensland, with Whyalla producing special steel for warship building.
This way we can replace Asian steel supplies as they reach the end of their production life.
I know many resent old blokes like me reminding them that they’re not like their father’s or grandfather’s generation, who were sitting in their places back when I was an active contributor to this nation’s development.
I am who I am and am still entitled to be heard and present what I believe is a pathway to restore my nation’s rightful place as a sovereign, independent and sustainable nation that cares for all its peoples.
ROBERT BUICK, Mountain Creek.