Covid 19 -

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Let's hope this happens.


https://www.goauto.com.au/news/gener...-03/82281.html

Opportunity for Aussie manufacturing as pandemic highlights over-reliance on imports


3 Apr 2020


By HAITHAM RAZAGUI


AUSTRALIAN manufacturers that serve the local automotive sector have labelled global supply chain bottlenecks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as a “wake-up call” that highlights an over-reliance on imported goods and the related risk to national sovereignty in times of crisis.

General manager of Melbourne-based Sneddon & Kingston Plastics, Blair Sinsheimer, told GoAuto he was conscious of how much it had cost global vehicle manufacturers to stop or slow production when the COVID-19 outbreak stymied component supplies out of China.

“When we were a Tier 2 supplier to Ford and Holden, we were always reminded about the costs of the production line stopping if we didn’t supply, so I can just imagine how many automotive manufacturers around the planet have not been operating properly since early January because they were not able to get product out of China,” he said.

“Any money they would have saved by outsourcing to low-cost countries has probably been ****ed up the wall, to say it bluntly.”

Mr Sinsheimer – who oversaw Sneddon & Kingston’s diversification away from reliance on engineered plastics for the local automotive sector toward rigid food packaging and medical products – predicted that the effects of COVID-19 on global trade would result in a “big review” once the pandemic had blown over.

“People are really going to be looking at the globalisation model and asking themselves if it’s really worth it,” he said. “This will be a time to reflect on that and to look for opportunities in the future.”

Ty Hermans, managing director of Brisbane-based product commercialisation specialist and plastics manufacturer Evolve Group – which supplies the majority of plastics used by nearby Century Batteries and produces off-road recovery equipment under the Tred brand – also told GoAuto that a recent trend of companies looking to “reshore” production to Australia had accelerated as a result of COVID-19.

“With COVID-19, clearly there are people looking at reshoring and are now realising very quickly how important it is to have manufacturing here on home shores rather than relying on overseas,” he said.

“As we’re seeing now, when the **** hits the fan, we get left behind very quickly because of our lack of buying power and our heavy reliance on imported goods.”

Mr Hermans said a “silver lining” of COVID-19 was the potential for Australia to come out of the crisis with a stronger and more stable manufacturing sector.

“People are calling us saying that not only do we need to reshore now because of the crisis, we need to reshore now to protect our sovereignty going forward because we’re way too reliant on overseas,” he said.

He added that the trade war between the United States and China had also sparked interest in reshoring, as well as an uptick in enquiry from sectors such as baby and healthcare products for which a ‘Made in Australia’ badge increased their desirability and value in Asian markets enough to offset the increased costs of Australian production.

Mr Sinsheimer agreed that “people are starting to realise the risks” of over-reliance on imports and was optimistic about the ability of Australian manufacturing to capitalise on its reputation for quality and reliability.

“I think Australia has a reputation for being a reliable source in terms of manufacturing,” he said.

“We’ve always had good manufacturers here – unfortunately not as many as we had in the past – but on a global basis I think we still do have some of the best manufacturers on the planet.”

Although both Sneddon & Kingston and Evolve Group produce plastic products for a diverse range of industries and shared similar stories of tooling delays caused by COVID-19 impacts in China, Mr Sinsheimer and Mr Hermans had differing views on how Australian manufacturing could be sustained and prosper.

In Mr Sinsheimer’s opinion, securing Australia’s supply chains would require government efforts – including the return of protectionism – to encourage more local manufacturing.

“It has to be government incentive driven because unfortunately the way the world is, this will be forgotten before too long and I think this is a wake-up call for a lot of places and will definitely change peoples’ attitude to offshore sourcing,” he said.

“But like all things in life, the end user needs to be willing to pay accordingly and in Australia we have very high wages. This is where the government needs to lead the way by protecting the industry, making it expensive to bring things in from overseas.”

On the other hand, Mr Hermans was wary of protectionism and said it was already more cost-effective to make plastic injection-moulded products in Australia than China, without tariffs.

“You’ve got to be careful with tariffs and things like that,” he said. “There are more than a billion people in China and we’ve got 25 million here, so I know where I’d rather have no tariffs, and that’s on China so we can export more there.”

Mr Hermans was critical of using government funding to support industries that would otherwise never be viable in Australia, such as car manufacturing.

"You’ve got to look at industries that make sense, that are right-sized for this type of country, the type of workforce and skillset we’ve got, focus on the stuff we can do really well at and make sure we’re always innovating,” he said.

“As long as you’re at that cutting edge you’ll be fine, but some industries don’t make sense in Australia so we shouldn’t be using taxpayers’ money to breathe life into them.”

That requires accountants to be able to see further than the piece of paper in front of them, so no they probably won't

[five 7]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Pappa Boris Johnson is in intensive care:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-52192604

If he dies, China has a lot to answer for as they've effectively killed a leader of a foreign nation.

Even if he dies there might be some outrage, but not much more. This will blow over eventually, and most will head out and resume buying Chinese junk, why because they can't help themselves. China just does not care, read a report a couple of days ago about wet markets reopening, so if this virus came from there we are still open to something similar in the future, basically history repeating..
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/ar...n-t-a-solution
Next time say you are looking for a cat back, look beyond the shiny S/S and cheap and spend a few more dollars on something made local, not only sounds better but your keeping jobs and money at home.

[GO FURTHER]

[Citroënbender]

I note the ABC has further delved into the current Swedish MO.

The author notes a mortality rate exceeding that of Australia.

Link: https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-...roach/12118422

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Work Horse

Is that glass half full or half empty Yellow?

My wife is a leading teacher at a Primary School for new arrivals.
She has just posted out lessons for all students in various languages.
The show must go on, things will be different and challanging for teaching.
It is not a disaster IMHO
Just another problem to be overcome.

Term two is yet to start. Lets see how things go next term.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by FTE217

further to the above that I agree with.
My 14yr old daughter is coping fine working online.
I've seen a few of her class's it works better than I expected and I'm sure as times goes by will improve.
My wifes works at a leading Gov school here in Sydney, all online now and has been told expect Term 3 will be as such.
The main concerns as mentioned by cheap, the Yr12 students, felle for them and are stressing and don't blame them.
Hard to adjust for their final year.

Yourself and your wife sound like highly educated people and your daughter has followed suit.

Would you have the same praises if your were a single parent that didn't speak English and had no choice but to work leaving your 14 year old daughter who had the English level of a year 2 student at home to educate herself with no internet and laptop?

With my comments you need to cater for the absolute worst case scenario possible.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by DOC

Sounds Good my daughter is also a primary teacher, last week I also donated and set up 4 complete websites for them and between a few teachers they already have next term ready to roll out with a few kinks to sort.

So yes all go ahead full steam with many people coming in double time to get the job done, a great effort by all. Tell chicken little the sky is not falling just yet.

Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

Time will tell I guess. Glad you also come from a highly educated, English speaking family.

Just remember that not all are as smart or lucky as you.

[prydey]

Many schools in Adelaide will be open for those who need to send their kids to school, from term 2, which starts in 3 weeks here.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Agreed and this is what I referred to pages ago, the better engaged and resourced will go on whilst the have nots will be disadvantaged through no fault of their own.
The belief that every parent has the ability to fill the shoes of a professional who spent 4yrs at Uni is wishful thinking at best, then throw in multiple age brackets and teaching levels and the question being asked gets bigger.
It's one thing to setup a system, another to have it function as intended.
Btw, that's not chicken little stuff, that's just the reality of the situation, teachers don't last long these days due to struggles with student engagement, but COVID19 comes along and suddenly kids are keen to learn..at home...under the guidance of the very reason they have no respect for Teachers..

Bingo.

Perhaps after this there may be a new level of respect for the roles teachers play in society.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by prydey

Many schools in Adelaide will be open for those who need to send their kids to school, from term 2, which starts in 3 weeks here.

So here is the problem with that.

A teacher will then need to maintain a physical class for half their students as well as an online class in real time for the other half.

Akin to attempting to drive a car on the road without crashing while also playing a car racing computer game and also trying not to crash.

I can't see that working for primary school at all.

It may work for high school where the students use the school as a facility to learn and access classes and WiFi on school hardware or on their own devices possibly under the supervision of support staff that can't directly help with class content.

[Work Horse]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Term two is yet to start. Lets see how things go next term.

Sure, we actually have no choice!

We do have a choice about how we react and how we behave.

A positive outlook is vital!

If a problem is worth worrying about, it is worth doing something about it.
If you can not do anything about it, stop worrying.

[peaterj]

Adelaide man hoards 5400 toilet rolls.

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/he...19667aa071ca82


Hope he gets stuck with them.

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by peaterj

Adelaide man hoards 5400 toilet rolls.

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/he...19667aa071ca82


Hope he gets stuck with them.

He's definitely on a roll...

Cops won't charge him with anything because it'd just get bogged down with paperwork ...

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Work Horse

Sure, we actually have no choice!

We do have a choice about how we react and how we behave.

A positive outlook is vital!

If a problem is worth worrying about, it is worth doing something about it.
If you can not do anything about it, stop worrying.

No one is suggesting you use a negative outlook when dealing with the kids, but keeping a level of reality away from them is also important or all you're doing is burying your head in the sand.
As a parent of an 8 and 15yo going through this I maintain a positive outlook and try to make it fun and enjoyable, the reality is I can already see that the 15yo is far from interested and we're only 2 weeks in, this is reality.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by prydey

Many schools in Adelaide will be open for those who need to send their kids to school, from term 2, which starts in 3 weeks here.

Are yours going back Rob?

[cheap]

On the plus side, Easter Eggs are already heavily discounted.

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by cheap

On the plus side, Easter Eggs are already heavily discounted.

The problem is eat a lot and you get the runs and there is no toilet paper.....Suppose you can try to use the foil egg wrappings instead

[Citroënbender]

Nobody eats more matzo than they have to. The stuff is indestructible and similarly indigestible as dry biscuit form.

[FairmontGS]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

That requires accountants to be able to see further than the piece of paper in front of them, so no they probably won't

[prydey]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Are yours going back Rob?

The Fed govt and schools are encouraging families that don't have to send their kids to school to keep them home. As I single income family, I think my daughter is staying home. We had to let the school know by last Friday.

[.:4:.]

Was speaking to a bloke today and he was telling me about how one of the girls who got let go from the coffee shop is an overseas uni student. Everyday at the end of trade she comes into work. So she has been bumming of a friend for free accomodation and comes in because her old boss lets her take some of the unsold food just to survive as she has no income or prospects at the moment. So its sad, but good on george for trying to help. He cannot justify keeping his doors open for much longer either, but atleast is able to apply for government assistance.

[MercuryT]

Went to supermarket today and complete lack of social distancing etc just frightening.

I can now best understand Gov't frustration as i've only used my small local store in my Suburb 90% of time but now in Supermarket it was just so silly.

Tassie is going well apparently but the stupidity just ridiculous. One (massive) bloke cuddling partner coughed on me and laughed......(to her credit she gave it to him)

I actually didn't know what to.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by prydey

The Fed govt and schools are encouraging families that don't have to send their kids to school to keep them home. As I single income family, I think my daughter is staying home. We had to let the school know by last Friday.

Yes, we received an SMS last week asking our intentions and likewise, as im not working at the moment we plan to keep our two at home, however, with 3 weeks to go until School starts back the situation may well have changed so we'll reassess closer to that time.
I hope you didn't mind me asking, I know your children have Diabetes so there's obviously a lot more to consider for you guys.

Bets wishes to you and you're family mate.

[cheap]

Word on the street is that people are being let go and bosses intend to rehire new people on lower salary. Many IT contractors/consultants have been let go too.

Who knows maybe $1500/fortnight is the new starting point for negotiations.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by cheap

Word on the street is that people are being let go and bosses intend to rehire new people on lower salary. Many IT contractors/consultants have been let go too.

Who knows maybe $1500/fortnight is the new starting point for negotiations.

Further to that, I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the well known retail brands which have swiftly shut up shop are using Caronavirus as the excuse to transition to online sales and reduce overheads, the perfect opportunity to improve profits whilst looking squeaky clean to the punters.

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

Tassie is going well apparently but the stupidity just ridiculous. One (massive) bloke cuddling partner coughed on me and laughed......(to her credit she gave it to him)

I actually didn't know what to.

People have been charged for doing that. I'm pretty sure everyone who has been charged has been free of the virus, but it's the intent.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Yes, we received an SMS last week asking our intentions and likewise, as im not working at the moment we plan to keep our two at home, however, with 3 weeks to go until School starts back the situation may well have changed so we'll reassess closer to that time.
I hope you didn't mind me asking, I know your children have Diabetes so there's obviously a lot more to consider for you guys.

Bets wishes to you and you're family mate.

Cheers, although it's similar risk every year around flu season.

My eldest is at uni and they went online a while back as they were already set up to do it. I think that may be the case until mid year.

Didn't get it from me but thankfully both my kids actually like school and learning.

[Polyal]

Uni is a different ball game all together, kids are savvy and old enough by that point. Really >yr6 is not to much bother but its all time.

But trying to get a kindy, yr 3 and 5 all working at the same time on different topics and levels is not cool...oh and while I am WFH.

[Romulus]

To you Victorians, what's it like living under the rule of Chairman Dan? I'm gathering he's ****ed after the High Court gave the Victorian Courts the middle finger and acquitted Cardinal Pell. As revenge, Victorian Chairman Dan Andrews has flagged that any future ‘stage four’ measures could shut down existing industries — such as racing and construction — even as he announced that up to a million Victorian schoolchildren will not attend schools for at least the next term. Fining a bunch of blokes for playing back yard cricket, but allowing a muslim wedding to take place which clearly contravened social distancing laws. Dan is the ultimate virtue signaller and hypocrite.

[marty351]

Not to mention he shut down an entire logging/sawmill operation without even as much as a simple consultation. Dictatorial attitude may well be his undoing, some voters have long memories, unfortunately most labor voters are blind to their own bureaucratic imprisonment.