In a short time Australian’s will be called to vote in the Federal Election. Will the existing Government maintain control or will Australia see a new Government? How will Australia fair over the next decade if the current Government remains or if there is a change of Government? Such questions should be taken in context of where Australia sees itself in the next decade and not until the following Federal Election. Too often decisions are made to entice the voter without long term considerations of impacts.

Australia is part of a rapidly changing global community with resource requirements changing with options for energy becoming wider. Australia has to move away from digging out resources and selling land to overseas investors. As a nation Australia must look forward to industries that are sustainable and beneficial to the Australia economy, particularly with opportunities for increased employment.

Australia has had the title of the clever country but that is slowly being eroded by fewer young people pursuing careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in favour of non-technical careers. Although these careers are beneficial to the economy they are lacking in innovation that creates new job markets. Sadly there are fewer jobs in the STEM sector and for many salary ranges are not as attractive as they should be. Initiatives to combat this must be applauded and further encouraged within our Government. Australia needs to regain the title of the clever country.

The media has been in full swing since the 2016 Federal Budget with many commentators saying that the budget favours particular sectors of our community at the expense of other sectors. Equity and growth should be at the forefront of a Federal Budget and should eliminate loop holes where individuals and companies unfairly benefit. Two areas that should be addressed are tax avoidance, especially by multinational corporations, to ensure everyone pays the tax they should on what they earn in Australia; and secondly those who unfairly claim Government assistance.

There are too many loopholes that lead to tax avoidance. To use these to reduce tax or avoid tax may be legal but certainly not always ethical. Unfortunately this is a very sensitive area and when it comes to individuals it is deemed as a no go territory by politicians in fear of losing votes.

We call on our politicians to expose the injustice of people claiming support in Australia where it is not warranted. Our social security system is in place to help those with legitimate needs and not line the pockets of those who basically take advantage of Australia’s generosity. We need a tough but fair Government that is willing to make the tough choices and not put their political welfare ahead of fairness and equity in Australia.                                                                                                                                               Editor in Chief