But while this is very fast growth, it is important to remember that the sector still only directly accounts for less than 2 per cent of the overall workforce in Australia. The main effects on employment of the resources boom are being felt elsewhere, particularly in the services sector where the vast bulk of Australians work.
While policies to get the most out of our "human" infrastructure are important, we also need to develop our physical infrastructure in order to reach our full potential. This critical infrastructure includes public assets, such as highways, public transit and transportation facilities, power, waterworks and waste water, schools, hospitals, and other facilities. It also includes private infrastructure, such as pipelines, rail, and telecommunications networks.