Matt Barrie on the Planned Destruction of Australia, By James Reed

Matt Barrie's speech, "Flat Out Like a Nation Sinking," delivered to the Northern Beaches Liberal Party on December 4, 2024, is a hard-hitting critique of Australia's economic decline. He opened his address by asking: how would one begin to dismantle a nation from within?

He paints a bleak picture of the country's current state, describing once-prosperous towns that have been reduced to "economic wastelands" with shuttered businesses, empty factories, and rising poverty. His speech is a call to action, urging political and economic leaders to recognise the gravity of the situation and implement urgent reforms to prevent further decline.

Barrie argues that Australia's economy is in a dire state due to decades of policy failures. He highlights the widespread deindustrialization that has hollowed out the nation's manufacturing base, leaving behind towns and cities struggling with unemployment, homelessness, and a loss of economic purpose. This, he suggests, is not merely a cycle of economic downturn but a structural collapse caused by poor policy choices.

One of Barrie's main criticisms is the declining productivity across Australian industries. He notes that while other countries have made strides in innovation and efficiency, Australia has fallen behind. He also highlights the skyrocketing cost of living, pointing out that housing, energy, and everyday expenses have become unaffordable for many Australians. He attributes this to a combination of over-regulation, high taxation, and a lack of vision in economic planning.

Barrie touches on the rapid population growth due to high immigration levels, arguing that it has placed an unsustainable strain on infrastructure, housing, and public services. He suggests that while immigration can be beneficial, the government has failed to plan for the increased demand on essential services, leaving many Australians worse off.

A major part of his critique is directed at political leaders, whom he accuses of short-term thinking and a lack of accountability. He argues that successive governments—both Liberal and Labor—have ignored long-term economic planning in favor of policies that provide short-term boosts but ultimately contribute to decline. He calls for a shift toward evidence-based policymaking that prioritizes national interest over political expediency.

Barrie's speech is not just an analysis of problems; it is also a call for action. He advocates for policies that would reinvigorate Australia's economy, such as:

• Reviving the manufacturing sector to reduce reliance on imports
• Reducing bureaucratic red tape to encourage business growth
• Investing in education and training to create a skilled workforce
• Reforming immigration policies to align with economic capacity
• Addressing housing affordability through smarter urban planning

Barrie warns that if Australia continues on its current trajectory, the economic and social consequences will be severe. He challenges both politicians and citizens to demand better leadership and policies that prioritise long-term prosperity over short-term gains. The speech serves as a wake-up call for Australians to take action before it's too late. His article, a long one, too long to reproduce here, makes the case that at present Australia is on the road to national suicide.

https://medium.com/@matt_11659/flat-out-like-a-nation-sinking-45e5f7bf31e1