[marki]

In this country we dig holes and sell our future for instant gratification, it's what we do best. But do not think for a moment that it is all beer and skittles for scientists that give up trying to earn a living here leaving our shores for brighter pastures overseas. A very good friend of mine after completing his PHD secured a research position at Harvard Medical school. He packed up all his gear and new wife to head to the land of plenty. It soon became obvious they could not survive on the very low wage he was paid and as his wife could not work due to visa restrictions so they relied on the goodwill of their parents who regularly wired them money from Australia. Now you may think this has a happy ending with Bernard making a fabulous discovery and being showered in cash and glory but that is not so. Yes they are still there 15 years later but not because of him. A few years after arriving in the US Bernard's wife Michelle managed to get a greencard and was able to work legally. She is a graphics designer and began making greeting, birthday cards etc. This turned into a booming business with their disposable income increasing massively allowing them to live well. Bernard is still slaving away with his cancer research but he is only still there because his wife lucked out in the greencard lottery.

Science is given low priority in Australia at all levels from kindy to coorparate domination and politics. Not many Australians have a clue about science let alone the vision to see what can really be achieved. Its all about big houses with a swimming pool, 2 cars and a boat for the weekend. Why? Because we can do it without risk, plenty of easily accessible minerals in the ground no need to do anything else.

Mark