LETTER FROM PERTH
Rudd misjudged the backlash from the sector and the Australian public. In the following weeks his approval ratings plummeted, influenced by widespread lobbying led by the resources industry. His deputy, Julia Gillard led a successful leadership challenge. Shortly after this a general election was called, resulting in a hung parlia- ment. Labour has now formed a minority-led government with a razor-edge majority of one. The tax is still to be imposed but before the elections Gillard held intense negotiations with the large miners, which seem to have reached a détente of sorts. Since I arrived in 2004, living in the ‘boom or bust’ state has been amazing experience. Perth’s skyline has changed dramatically, with a dramatic increase in skyscrapers and apartment blocks. But the lifestyle is very relaxed, with beautiful parks surrounding the city and its rivers. It takes a while to get used to the isolation of Perth and the fact that any other major Australian or Asian city is at least a three to four-hour flight away. After a few years one begins to understand and appreciate the famous independent, self-reliant spirit of West Australians. While WA may not offer a huge amount of cities beyond Perth, it still abounds with beautiful regions to visit. Beaches stretch up thou- sand of miles, cooled by the balmy Indian Ocean. The south west offers the wine regions and karri forests, while many of the outback and wheatbelt towns of the interior still have a frontier atmosphere. The sunset on Cable Beach in Broome is one of the most amazing you could ever see. Most analysts agree that WA’s future looks bright as its major
export markets continue to expand. There is always the spectre for WA that should a market such as China shrink, it would obviously have serious repercussions on the local and national economy. But WA is used to this ‘boom or bust’, and there is another view to this. “We’re not a ‘boom or bust’ state,” a friend told me recently. “We’ve built this place on hope.”
Brian Martin is relationship manager WA/NT with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. He can be emailed at
brian.martin@
charteredaccountants.com.au.
UCD BUSINESS CONNECTIONS 37
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