samran

20 minutes ago, Artisi said:

My observation is 99% of Thai's are wearing masks appropriately, although a little difficult when eating in restaurants. 

It slips a bit the further out into the country you go, maybe 70%, but its higher than most places in the world still. Thai's are genuinely petrified of this, which has helped.

4 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

Missing the point.....!!!!

Not really. I didn't contradict you. I just added another factor for consideration.

9 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

I do believe that nobody believes that Thai people will self isolate longer than it takes to have a shower, change of clothes and go get some somtam ........!!!!

yeah, but they will likely wear a mask when they do go out.

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s a curious thing to do, make an announcement about doing something in the next seven years when the announcement itself will be sure to anger a nation the UK desperately needs to do a trade deal with.

 

Doubly so given the UK could quietly purge its telecom systems of this manufacturer’s equipment without making any announcement at all.

 

 

Me thinks somebody is playing Silly Rugger.

 

 

A trade deal was never on the cards. The wagons are circling.

As such, people can make more noise than if they were trying to get one.

Interesting analysis in the AFR today. It’s a ‘freemium article’ depending on how much you click but here is the gist..

“International border closures may not affect overall economic growth this year as much as first expected because Australia will have a spare $38 billion in its pocket that would have otherwise been spent on overseas travel.

“CBA analysis released on Monday showed as much as $38 billion that would have been spent in offshore tourism would no longer leave Australia. Balancing that with the usual surplus of travel expenditure, Australia is $20 billion better off because of the COVID-19 restriction”

https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/38b-saved-from-travel-but-can-we-spend-it-20200713-p55biw

1 hour ago, Logosone said:

Yes, but the EU itself has given Australia one of the worst trade deals. 

 

Because Australia is a relatively small market very few large markets will be tempted to treat Australia favourably.

 

I agree of course that China's blackmail policies are obnoxious, as are America's, but that is the way politics is done globally now. I also agree that it is not healthy for Australia to be that dependent on Chinese money. And yet, how would Australia refocus its economy? 

 

Sure with agriculture, even if China buys 25% of all Australian agricultural output, the quality of Australian products means they can be sold in other places in Asia. But which Asian country will need the numbers China has been buying? Even in Europe, where Australian products are not widely sold at all there is very little chance that this will change. Simply because European consumers prefer European products.

 

I don't think it is that easy for Australia to rework its entire economy and find markets elsewhere. 

 

And it's not just agriculture, it's many other areas of the Australian economy that currently depend on Chinese money.

I don't think we've got any trade deal with the EU yet. Last I read it was still being held hostage by the Italian tomato growers.

As for what Australia will do, its really not something anyone can answer. I'd like to see more ASEAN engagement, but my experience with Australian companies looking to export to ASEAN is they see it as all 'too hard', which is strange when they get themselves in the thrall of China and to a lesser extent, India.

As I said, I'm a bit immune to the chicken little announcements from the mining and property sectors and to a lesser extent agriculture and higher education sectors. They've made their beds and they can lie in them as far as I'm concerned. They have to realise that for the past 20 years (to quote Keating) they've had a rainbow hit them in the ar3e with the once in the generation China boom.

It appears for one reason or another, its over. Now they have to pivot.

If they were smart they would made sure they were never too reliant on Chinese money. And if they were smarter they would have realised that the increased income was only temporary. They'll readjust and a lower AUD will help soften the blow.

Wouldn't be surprised if Sydney is locked down in 2 weeks.

1 hour ago, Logosone said:

Easily said, "refocus trading arrangements", not so easily done in market reality where China buys 25% of Australia's agricultural produce, 70 billion USD of commodities.

 

It's not just commodities. Across the board, services, education, agriculture, Australia is dependent on Chinese money.

 

Who would buy the 25% of agricultural output? 70 billion of commodities?

 

Easily said. Not so easily done.

Well if China want to buy these things despite what is going on with Australia’s policy framework then that is their prerogative. But they use the threat to turn it off to further their political goals.
 

But if you were going to put all your eggs in one trading basket and whinge about it, then I’m not going to be too sympathetic. 
 

After the UK threw Australia under the bus joining the EEC, we had a whole bout of economic reform in the 80s and 90s to achieve a level of flexibility in our farmers and exporters - so we will move on. I’m not as chicken little as others are. 

14 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

Funnily enough-I agree with you and I am Australian.

 

We do like to go charging off..usually at the request of our colonial masters..

 

The Sudan (UK)

The Boer War (UK)

The Great War (UK)

The 2nd big one (UK)

Korea (US but with UN backing)

Vietnam (US)

Afghanistan (US)

Iraq..(US)

 

We did semi manage to pull off one on our own-Timor.(UN)

 

Australia didn't even declare war on Germany in World War 2 as it was deemed sufficient that the British had done so already-the day before.

 

Morrison should pull his head in and try a little diplomacy but,alas,he's about as dumb and parochial as the electorate he leads.

Not sure I agree. There is a lot more than dumb parochialism going on here and diplomacy with China hasn’t worked. They are on a mission to <deleted> everyone off at the moment and Australia needs to learn to play hard ball where it can. 
 

Im not advocating all out war but in the short to medium term Australia is going to have to swiftly refocus its trading arrangements to be less China centric. 
 

I’m all for a strong relationship with Asia, from time to time try to help out on that front, but even I am uncomfortable with the level of Chinese underhandness on one hand, and territorial arrogance on the other. 
 

Arbitrary arrests of Canadian, Australian and other nations businesses people simply due to China’s unhappiness to be used as diplomatic pawns provides a pretty clear example of what we are dealing with. 
 

And Australian business was up to its neck facilitating China. The scene of having iron ore magnate Twiggy Forrest bring along the Chinese vice consul to crash Greg Hunts press conference a few weeks back was pretty disgusting in my book. 
 

That the mining industry will suffer because of this, I don’t care. They’re our version of big pharma and have stymied reform in Australia on tax and environmental policy for the past two decades, so I’m not crying for them. 
 

5 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

This is the correct stance from the Aussies and I commend them.

 

Unfortunately due to years of poor decisions by Australian governments they are very vulnerable and China could quite easily kneecap them economically.

 

I would suggest they sign a post Brexit free trade deal with the UK ASAP, we will be happy to help them out after China leaves them in the lurch.

Unfortunately Australia has been blinded by the rivers of dosh coming out of China and have now realised that they price they were paying was higher than expected. 

Hong Kong getting its very own Lubyanka...

Clearly one country two systems!

42 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Shurely shome mishtake?

hic!

1 hour ago, LomSak27 said:

Talking points. 

 

As the surge accelerates. We need to convince Americans they can live with virus. We hope Americans will grow numb to the escalating death toll and come to accept tens of thousands of new cases every day. Americans will live with the virus being a threat. There can be no governmental aide or remedy.

 

Hey, happens with gun violence so you probably aren’t too far off the mark on that one.

17 minutes ago, car720 said:

Sunshine Coast has been part of Victoria for years.  Even their football teams are living there now.

Lord knows we need an outpost of civilisation and sophistication north of the Tweed...

5 hours ago, honcho said:

quotes from fabulous rob muldoon!!

Indeed. Too good not to use it given the circumstance!