He said that with unemployment at only 5 per cent and a resources boom, we should all be happy. However, the current economic mix was terrible. Retail, manufacturing and tourism and are all in trouble. Harvey continued by saying that something is wrong when New Zealand, which isn't benefiting from a mining boom, is forecasting stronger growth than Australia.
While there had been much commentary about the cautious consumer, Harvey Norman franchisees had "never experienced so much customer traffic and transactions" (www.smh.com.au)
Well-Being Australia chairman, Mark Tronson, says that without doubt business leaders would applaud such sentiments, that (presumably) through consumer spending the economy will leap forward and the nation will escape from whatever economic downturn the world might have coming its way.
But, he warns, there appear to be several issues with such economic forecasts.
The first is obvious. What is good for the high profile retailers may not necessarily be good for the 'Mums and Dads' of Australia. This is a pertinent point. It is precisely because Mr and Mrs 'Average Australian' have been buying what were once termed 'luxuries', but are now advertised as 'necessities', that retail businesses such as Harvey's have been doing well. However, for these ordinary people, being in debt certainly doesn't make them happy.
Another issue is that not everyone agrees that the mining boom automatically ensures that every other aspect of Australian commerce and industry is doing well. Australia's manufacturers are doing it tough. Australia's primary industries are not singing 'hallelujah' from their farm roof tops. Our national airline Qantas has to go offshore to make ends meet in the international arena. The argument that we can be supported by our natural resources, and that the benefits are equally spread, doesn't ring true for everyone.
At the other end of the spectrum, if you talk to the Charity sector, you'll get a very different sentiment than that purported by Gerry Harvey, that being happy is based on spending.
Mark Tronson says that being happy has very little to do with spending money. He offers some examples.
Ask any grandparent where their happiness lies, perhaps with a new born adding to their quiver of grandchildren, and they will be delighted and thankful for the new little lives.
Ask an athlete where their happiness lies, surely with a personal best or team best effort, and they will bethankful they have the wherewithall to enjoy such physical activity.
Ask any school teacher where their happiness lies, possibly when one of their charges finally "gets it" and the light goes on, and their understanding is changed forever; and they will be 'over the moon' that they have had an effect on the future generation.
Ask any Minister where their happiness lies, and he/she will probably tell you about the untold joy they experience when someone like themselves, a sinner, in need of repentance, forgiveness and Salvation, invites Jesus Christ into their whole being to guide and lead them.
No, spending money the like of which Gerry Harvey suggests, may or may not be helpful to the economy, it may or may not be helpful to someone's bank balance, but it certainly is not "the essence" of happiness.
Luke 12:15 Then he said to them,"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions."