and in the same timeframe, the Australian dollar has gone up 67% against the US dollar as well. So in US dollar term, what return have I got from SLR?
Again, this is not a valid comparison.
Anybody can pick a wonder stock, a hugely successful business, etc. But you compare stocks to stocks, you compare like for like.
Gold is a form of money. Banks trade copper, oil, even silver, at their commodities desk, but banks trade gold at their CURRENCY DESK!