UTTER HOGWASH. THAT "ALL AUSTRALIAN'S HAVE ACCESS TO EDUCATION".

From Cooktown - Cape York I have spent hundreds (by phone) on trying to do a PHD "Economic and Social, Political Cultural Development in Cape York".

I travelled to Canberra ANU - to interview my potential DEAN and Supervisors. I was excited. I was accepted at ANU, but could not afford the costs: fee's, travel, living in two places and the study itself - has its own travel and recording research costs.

I felt as a potential up and coming Local Government Councillor, it would be strategic for a role in public life. This premise itself is based on my local perception through research.

Every policy public officer in Cape York comes in from outside Cape York.

You would think it would be better to encourage locals to study, especially if they intended to live within the area.

I attempted to find a sponsorship. (COSTLY). I then tried for a scholarship, but the problem generally, given the competition, was a lack of consultation concerning the process.

Local Centerlink, JobNet and CHR outlets were not interested in giving assistant, as the task for them is outside the square.

I have also attempted to do many other UNI's/Cert courses at other outlets, but the problems were the same.

I have emailed - wrote applications, but things fall through when there is no concern in the follow-up for rural people. Trust breaksdown.

We need a real "no wrong door".

I have too, given my expertise, attempted to assisted others to move toward education. The issues are the same.

CANDOO (NGO) has attempted to enter the micro-skills devlopment market prior to this and found the government policies itself locked CANDOO (NGO) out.

Every government worker I interviewed concerning the problem was outside their depth. It is a Rural Cultural problem within the government services. The possible is made impossible where there is a lack of innovation and a will to solve problems.

Where there is a lack of WILL to ACT.

http://www.miacat.com
.

Ian

I am interested to know the total value (replacement or inflation adjusted)of Australian infrastrucure, possibly including human infrastructure.

I have looked for an answer to this question, but it does not seem to be available from any government department.

I would have thought that this information would be essential for government planning.

For example in planning for an increased population or to quantify the benefits of a larger population.

Your thoughts on this would be of great interest.

Ye Gods Ian;
It is dead easy to make broad brush statements like the
Commonwealth government sat aside and did nothing for infrastructure
and then turn around and say that infrastructure responsibility should
be transfered to the commonwealth.
The responsibility is the states and I am sure if you took the road
transport, rail, ports, water, electricity portfolios away from the
states there would an almighty row.

In fact you are right, all infrastructure should be taken away from
the states.
While you are at it take away what remains and close the state
parliaments. I am in favour of that being done asap.

All road funding should stop. The funds should be diverted to rail
duplication and electrification.
Note France has announced that there will be no more motorways or
new airports.
What has to be done in just the railway field must be done by the
commonwealth as soon as possible so that we do not waste our limited
diesel on interstate trucks.

In a few years we will have a major traffic jam with freight on
interstate and intrastate rail. It will be difficult to get passenger
rail services through especially the Newcastle Sydney corridor.

Can you believe that the NSW state government could handle the
upheaval that will be necessary ?
If we leave it to the states they will expand their own gauges instead
of standard gauge.

There needs to be a crash program to try and get solar thermal power
stations going. It has promise because existing power stations can
be equipped with it.