Not surprisingly the Coalition is telling everybody who will listen that we cannot afford to keep the car industry in Australia, because of the ongoing subsidies to keep it afloat, all opinions coming from people, by the way, who are just fine thanks very much.

Well let’s examine just two other industries among hundreds, that get handouts from the government – mining, and agriculture.

As everybody is aware, the mining industry is booming.

You know, the one that cannot afford to pay any more tax for using all Australian’s assets, but still receives huge concessions – in one instance helping one billionaire to double her wealth in 12 months. And of course the agriculture industry, which is handed billions in assistance for droughts, floods, and other disasters because of circumstances out of their control, and has so for decades.

That said, what is the difference with the car industry? Are they not in the exact same position right now, circumstances out of their control?

Politically the car industry to the Coalition is a convenient whipping boy, because they are not going to upset their constituents, and the impact of inner city people losing their jobs will have little impact on their vote.

Frankly the singling out of the car industry is a national disgrace, and it is about time Coalition governments looked at the country as a whole, and not where they can kneecap people with very little effect on their vote.

This year is going to be a defining year as far as working people are concerned, and by the time everybody sits down to Christmas dinner on December 25, they will be under no illusions as to what awaits them under a Coalition government, led by Tony Abbott.

It remains to be seen whether those warning signs are enough to save them from the dole queues.

KEN PRICE,

Eaglehawk