The
"selling the farm"
syndrome is by NO MEANS one that began with recent government
It began in - and was nurtured by ALL governments - for the bulk of the 20th century
ONE leader - in ALL of those decades - vocally and actively OPPOSED it
... and look at what we thought of
his "socialist" agenda
for future generations
Rural industries no longer hold the dominating position in Australia’s export trade that they once did.
But they have been traditionally and overwhelmingly the industries which Australians have controlled, industries from which Australians – all Australians – have derived the benefit and profit, and industries for which Australians – all Australians – have shared the burden in times of hardship and difficulty.
Now, the most profitable and significant of Australia’s industries and resources are under foreign control.
Sir John McEwen described this process as selling a bit of the farm year by year to pay our way.
Mr McMahon, more than any other Liberal, prevented any effort to limit foreign investment in those years.
More than any other Australian, Mr McMahon bears the responsibility for Australia “selling the farm”.
But in truth, it has not been the “farm” which has been sold – not the industries like wheat or wool or fruit or dairying or gold, the industries which have faced the crisis and hardships of recent years. It is the strongest and richest of our own industries and services which have been bought up from overseas.
It’s time to stop the great takeover of Australia.
But more important, it’s time to start buying Australia back.
A Labor Government will enable Australia and ordinary Australians to take part in the ownership, development and use of Australian industries and resources
.