Few would dispute the fact that we are on the cusp of the biggest social and economic upheaval in modern history, at least since the industrial revolution. This will come about through the rapid development of Ai and humanoid robotics, which robotics could result in massive unemployment and an unsustainable number of people dependent on social welfare to survive. Our economy, our tax revenue, may be unable to fund the social welfare needed. We, as a nation, also need to ensure that everyone has something meaningful to do, a reason to get out of bed, off the couch and off booze. No other political party has a plan or policy to deal with this risk. That’s quite frankly reckless of them.
While this change is more likely than not to result in massive job losses amongst both blue- and white-collar sector workers, it will present fabulous opportunities for those ready and able to pursue them. So, it is imperative that we as a nation: a) retain and attract bright entrepreneurial people who can identify and pursue the opportunities that will be presented, b) ensure that our educational system adequately prepares students to prosper in the new social and economic environment that is unfolding, and c) cater for those who for whatever reason are either unsuited to or unable to secure meaningful employment in the new economy.
In dealing with these challenges, we need to recognise that we will be competing against countries around the world and recognise that the new economy will be heavily dependent on electrical power. Those countries with low-cost power will have a major competitive advantage over those that don’t.
These many bright, entrepreneurial people on whom our future as a nation depends, will be attracted to countries that offer them:
- Agility in business – These people don’t want to get bogged down in red-tape, bureaucratic processes, compliance, and so on. They want and need to be able to make quick decisions to take advantage of opportunities, deal with threats and overcome risks.
- Employment flexibility – They want it to be easy for them to find and employ people with the appropriate skills, they want full discretion as to who they employ and what they pay them and want it to be easy to dismiss employees for whatever reason.
- Access to capital – particularly equity capital – at an internationally competitive expected return-for-risk.
- Low taxation – They will be focussed on the wealth they can create in return for their effort, and so are attracted to countries that enable them to create that wealth faster.
- Confidence that their tangible and intangible property will be safe from theft and damage, and that they, their staff and al their families are safe from attack.
- A trustworthy judicial system that provides efficient and cost-effective access to justice.
- Cheap and reliable energy – since most of their businesses are likely to be heavy users of Ai and humanoid robotics, which in turn are heavily dependent on energy.
- A clean, healthy and safe environment to live and raise a family.
The system of government proposed by CLA is by far and away the most attractive for these entrepreneurs and the most suitable for our nation to thrive in the 21st century. So is the educational system it proposes.
It is the responsibility of government to ensure that its policies cater for people with different talents and interests, not just for those suited to the ‘smart economy’.
CLA also has a viable and proven plan for those who are either unsuited to the Ai and humanoid robotic driven economy or are unable to find work in it. CLA’s plan offers them a meaningful, productive and peaceful life in a clean, healthy and safe environment.
An example of work opportunities for those not suited to the Ai and humanoid robotic world, is multi-facet farming in reasonable proximity to cities and regional centres. CLA has developed a business model for such an enterprise. While not identical to that contemplated by CLA, a similar model is that of White Oak Pastures in the USA (https://whiteoakpastures.com/pages/about-us). It’s farming practices are good for the environment, good for the animals, good for farmer mental health and good for consumer health while significantly increasing farm profitability, farm resilience and significantly increasing the number of full-time workers. Under the CLA model, these will be healthy, clean and peaceful enterprises where the workers, as a community, share equally in the profits. The land will be rented to the community enterprise by government or other investment group.
In summary: For Australia to thrive as a nation we need to be the most attractive destination for entrepreneurs and small businesses. To achieve that we need to be a low tax environment, offer a great deal of employment flexibility, and have a combination of little red-tape and a public sector that is pro-business and efficient. As regards being ‘pro-business’ our public sector needs to provide a way to ‘say yes’. This means showing what is needed to get an approval.