Westfield’s directors have definitely made up their minds that their shopping centres at Figtree and Warrawong have a poor economic future to look forward to and are going to sell them off.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
I do make the connection of the steelworks cutbacks, with the expected changes to the spending habits of our regional inhabitants.
Other businesses soon to depart the scene are cinemas and video outlets. After half a century in the cinema game, I have never seen so much rubbish finding its way onto the big screen at a cost getting well beyond what a family can afford.
Netflix is set to bring the entire output of the cinema industry into the home at a far lower cost than going out. Change is well and truly on the way for everyone.
David Cox, Corrimal
The Coalition, when in opposition, placed a high political priority on returning the budget to surplus. Asked on ABC radio in Brisbane whether his higher priority was cutting personal income tax rates or returning the budget to surplus, Hockey said: “Well, it’s both… they’re not mutually exclusive.” Mr Hockey also said “Australia relies too much on income tax”.
These statements contradict the national account rules. For the government budget to be in surplus, tax revenue must be greater than government spending, yet the Coalition repealed the carbon tax, repealed the mining tax, wants to cut company tax and refuses to end capital gains tax discounts.
It also refuses to consider lowering super tax concessions for the rich, refuses to consider ending tax subsidies for coal miners, refuses to address tax off-shoring by multinationals and refuses to stop tax avoidance through family trusts.
Voters need to understand modern monetary principles and its application to macroeconomics, then they will know if the politicians and the media are being truthful.
Don Kelly, Kanahooka
The treatment of the unemployed by Tony Abbott and his government is inexcusable.
Rather than having any sympathy for them, he is treating them as if they do not want to work.
Over a billion dollars has been wasted on job search agencies that have been a complete failure.
They do not find jobs for many but are very efficient at carrying out orders from the government to report clients for minor infringements; like being late for an appointment so that payments can be stopped.
Tony Abbott’s policy is punishing the unemployed for not having a job when it is the fault of his that there are no jobs due to the lack of support he has given to our industries.
Tony Foot, Unanderra
Bill Shorten is a good example of why politics is low. Currently, Mr Shorten and Labor are trying to attain office through smear, spin, misrepresentation and protecting corrupt union officials. Labor has no policies to offer a serious alternative. Labor’s national conference failed to address the economy, the deficit, living standards, protecting employment for workers, while ignoring pensioners and the unemployed.
You can disagree with Mr Abbott and the Coalition but at least they stand for something and have a generally positive direction. But Labor has no policy and no direction.
Adrian Devlin, Fairy Meadow