The prolonged death of Australian Auto Manufacturing

[Crazy Dazz]

At the end of the day I can fully understand (although still mourn) the simple business decisions to cease manufacturing in a Australia.
I can also understand the decisions to cease production of the Falcon. A unique, limited market, low-volume car with falling sales. The Falcon has been fighting a losing battler for decades, because it doesn't make enough money to support redevelopment.

My gripe is HOW we got into this situation, and WHERE do we go from here.

Ford Australia COULD be building the Focus and Ranger here, and exporting them. But can't because the costs just don't stack up.

Australia is a huge exporter of iron-ore, bauxite, base metals, coal, and natural gas. It would be more efficient for us to make the steel and aluminium here and export that (not to mention better for the environment) but its too costly. The next logical conclusion is that we should also me making cars, white goods, and heavy machinery, but again too costly.
Where does it end? Look at any product, it can be made cheaper in China or Thailand. It won't be long before all our boats, caravans, trailers, etc are also made in Asia. We already export garbage for recycling. All those RO-ROs returning empty will soon be carrying "written-off" cars for repair and re-sale.
Large Accounting, Engineering, Architectural, and Legal firms already outsource work to India.
It's only a matter of time before health insurers figure out its cheaper to send patients to Malaysia for treatment.
Bank Branches already feature interactive teller machines where you pick up a phone and are guided through your process by someone in a call-centre.

30-40 years ago, Australian Universities were at the forefront of electronics and computer work. Now they don't even offer the courses because there is no demand in Australia.
And whilst for decades Australian Universities have been the destination of choice for (rich) Asian students, the trend is now reversing. You can now send your kids to Asia, to study in English-Only universities, and get internationally accredited degrees, for a fraction of the cost.

This isn't all gonna happen overnight, but it IS already happening.
Ironically, the worst thing for MOST of Australia will be if the mining boom kicks off again, as that will simply make our currency stronger.

The government needs to make fundamental changes to ensure that Australia develops and maintains the industries that we SHOULD have here.