The Resource Curse of Western Australia

Wikipedia describes the resource curse as follows 'The resource curse (also known as the paradox of plenty) refers to the paradox that countries and regions with an abundance of natural resources, specifically point-source non-renewable resources like minerals and fuels, tend to have less economic growth and worse development outcomes than countries with fewer natural resources.'

Western Australia might appear to have escaped the resource curse on the surface, but if you dig a little deeper you'll find some disturbing facts -

  • The city of Perth has become frighteningly congested & sprawls to the north & south, a greater distance than any other city on the planet.
  • Our natural resources are seriously depleted with a water crisis, constant drought & farm land that is mostly denuded and kept on life support with petroleum fertilisers.
  • The crayfishing industry is seriously damaged & many fishermen have lost their businesses.
  • For the most part, the population is kept focused on building castles in an increasingly drought prone environment.
  • Regional food security is a distant memory. If the big distribution chains of Woolworths & Westfarmers were to be disrupted, hunger on a mass scale would be inevitable.
  • The Swan River, lifeblood of Perth city is in a seriously unhealthy state.

While the resources are abundant, Western Australia will be kept alive but once the resource reserves are depleted, Western Australia will be left to blow away in the hot dry winds of the future.


Posted by: Andrew
Company: Noble & Associates
Phone: 61894007400
Posted On: 1/1/0001
Contact via email: andrew@nobleaccounting.com.au
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