John Findley Blog

From John, June 2015 (somewhere in China)
Hi Ken,

I spent an evening with the major shareholder of a Chinese auto manufacturer. He has a range of battery powered light trucks. Government has a direct action subsidy plan whereby the manufacturer of the truck actually gives it free to the user. No tax imposed, just direct action.

Polluting trucks are no longer permitted into the city of Beijing. Only 2 manufacturers of electric trucks have a license, including my friend. Theirs will be permitted into the city.  More...

(Note: John is currently in China on a two-month work trip, travelling widely across China. This is his latest update from ‘on the ground’ in China)

The Chinese 7 per cent growth is outstanding, but it is likely that it will be resourced internally. There are indications that the mega construction boom is tapering. The China growth will be in tourism, domestic consumption, etc. The local market can supply the demands of those industries. That will reduce the need to import resources such as Australian iron ore. Reduce, not eliminate. More...

Hi Ken,
 
Did you see Richo's column in The Australian this morning?  I don't know what I can do or what ICA can do, but Richo is right.
 
I have years of experience in heavy and light industry; the workers are lovely people but they are not as adaptable as the dry economists wish they were. More...

I can state quite frankly my belief that the language requirements under Australia’s worker visa requirements are racist, harking back to the shameful White Australia policy.  That policy grew out of trade union pressures, just as it does these days. More...