About a week ago the Economist ran a set of articles about Australia. No surprise that it gave thumbs down to our political leadership, dismissing Abbott as a tea party wannabe. Julia wasnt treated much better, but Keating received plaudits for opening up the economy.

It was interested that they compared Australia to California as it was some decades ago. That dream turned a bit sour, and Australias will too if we dont make hay while the sun shines on the mining industry. (cant quite work out these European keyboards, so apostrophes can be forgotten for now) The Economist says Australia could take the lead on renewable energy, but hasnt got the courage.

About 20 years ago, I explicitly described Australia as the last California, and referred to its potential to become a world leader in sustainability. That was for an ACT Labor party magazine, now long defunct. And if we dont act quickly, our hopes for the future will also fade: the article says we only have 30 years of iron ore left. And then what?