As a non-renewable resource, the minerals in the ground, such as iron ore and coal, represent capital owned by the taxpayers, where mining companies are given a licence to mine at the behest of the Australian public.

Instead of making things necessary for everyday use the emergence of merchant banks ushered in a culture of making money through speculation in various forms of stock market ventures and real estate deals.

Growing numbers of misnamed free trade agreements ( FTAs ) between Australia and foreign governments are shooting holes in our pockets and shaking our country.