Fudging the Figures? Who Cares?

At the end of March, 2007, Australia’s net foreign debt stood at $532 billion, up from $492 billion a year earlier. These were comments by Ross Gittins, a soundly based economics commentator for the Sydney Morning Herald.

I do hope that the world doesn’t ask for its money back next week because I am a tad strapped for cash.

Why strapped for cash? You may ask.

Over 1,660,000 small business’ in Australia are living on debt and hope; and in August 2006, there were a total of 8,776,900 employees in Australia. Of these, 6,178,400 (70%) were full-time employees and 2,598,500 (30%) were part-time employees.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of The Nationals, Mark Vaile claims, on the home page of his web site, that ‘As Leader of The Nationals, I am absolutely committed to representing the interests of the 7 million people living in rural and regional Australia. Their voices will continue to be heard and championed around the Cabinet table. I take that responsibility very seriously, as do my Federal colleagues.’

Vaile further claims in a press release dated Thursday, 7th June 2007, headed Unemployment rate good news for all Australians that the further fall in the unemployment rate to just 4.2 per cent in May was proof of the Howard/Vaile Government’s strong economic management.

Thank you for your concerns and your ‘full employment’ Mark. But I think I will pass this time. Who Cares? I do as I know many of the wonderful 7 million people that you claim to represent do. If you are doing it hard you are not on your own.