Originally Posted by
Wizofoz
So, we should base our countries ownership policies on those of a communist dictatorship?
Perhaps in hindsight the /sarc tag was in fact needed.
Australia's naive and short term self serving behaviour has allowed Chinese interests (all state controlled) to purchase agriculture, property and all sorts of strategic assets.
Politicians from both sides take donations from interesting types, "entrepreneurs" from a single party state, where Private enterprise is a misnomer. The FIRB ignores money laundering from Chinese interest amounting to billions, while the ATO cracks down on PAYG taxpayer claims. The political class point fingers at each other, while continuing to solicit donations from Chinese interests.
In short Australia's lack of oversight, lack of sovereign concern and desire for the ever quick buck have resulted in the mess that is foreign policy, awakening a populous to the reality of China keen to spread its peculiar view of the world beyond its borders.
Australia's backbone is as strong as the concrete presently keeping up all the dog box slums dotting Australia's cities.