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Australia has always been "up" with the US and the ESO in radio astronomy. As a matter of fact, they came to us to learn how to be good radio astronomers, not the other way around. Australia pioneered the field and still leads in it. The only thing that they have over us is funding and the willingness of government and private organisations to put their money where their mouth is. Over here, they spend more on sports teams and digging more holes in the ground than on science and science education. The fact that we punch so high with so little real help is a testament to the quality of our scientists. It's just a pity that so many have to go overseas in order to keep their careers going (or even start).
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