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Originally Posted by renormalised
When talking about space programs and the technologies involved, as I was saying before, the Australian Government and industry has an absolutely woeful participation record in developing and supporting such ventures.
However, our scientist and the universities involved are some of the best in the world. We just don't get the funding or support that we should be. The government here has more interest in supporting some doped up athlete run around like a twat for a piece of metal on a ribbon than fund something which may have some benefit to the country. Not to disparage athletes and sport, but you'd think the government could get their priorities right for a change. You don't need to fund a NASA sized program or agency (not that NASA is that well funded), but you could at least give those that are trying to push into the "final frontier" a chance at achieving their goals and bring the benefits back home. Instead of having to go, cap in hand, somewhere else and all the benefits just seep away to elsewhere.
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The major reason for the woeful lack of political interest in Science is due to the fact that most politicians can't even understand grade 5 science, and the one that thought he could - Labour's "Barry Moans" - actually talked over the top of a scientist giving a presentation, as that blow-hard thought he knew better on the subject.
If they cant stick their snouts into it then they just are not interested. Just look at where Australia's silicon/solar energy went to for finance - China.
Politicians and science just don't mix, because it takes too much for them to understand past a 15 second sound bite.
Just my personal opinion.