Oz Peasantry

Naturally, people in the Goulburn Valley (canning factory workers and/or orchardists in particular) will be gutted by the federal cabinet's decision NOT to extend any financial help in maintaining agro/industrial employment in the region.

Of course, it IS the prime responsibility of commercial companies to either ensure their enterprises are viable to compete in the market-place in terms of both modern infrastructure and adequate capital investment. If that's not possible ... then, get the hell out of the industry instead of blood-sucking tax-payer funds to make up for the lack of fore-sight and leader-ship on the part of executive management! To that extent, Tony Abbott's explanation of today's cabinet decision is sensible.

However, if the inevitable result is the end of the entire fruit-growing industry in the Goulburn Valley and similar regions of Australia... then it renders his 'solutions' speech at the G20 meeting a complete nonsense... because clearly the 'market place' world-wide is interested only in making money. There is obviously no desire whatsoever to invest in anything but that over-arching intent.

Look out Australia. Medieval times are here again! Say hello to the new peasantry!