Funding to medical science benefits everyone and when one considers the funding given to sport and art - two policy areas that could easily be reduced in lieu of private and individual investment. We already lose too many of our scientists and innovators to OS R&D projects. Although the way the US and UK economy are faring, perhaps there won't be a rush on talent for the time being.

It will be interesting to see if more wasteful programs like Chaplaincy, baby bonuses, child care rebates, cultural and art grants will be cut back in the same way.

Government decisions are not always based on commonsense.

It might just come down to what will lose the least votes and unfortunately it will probably be worthwhile programs like social housing and health that will be cut. Cuts to the public service will ultimately be mismanaged and mean poor delivery of services we have already paid for. It won't be management jobs that will go, it will be the worker bees.

Actually, I'm right with you Pelican. I actually believe that medical research is much better done than most, particularly in our over expanded university sector.

And I'm even more with you that we shouldn't be wasting tax payer money on sport, & the so called arts.

Sport is big business, & big money for many, I see no reason to subsidise any of it, & when an art form can no longer pay it's way with marketing to the general public, it is obviously past it's use by date. There are plenty of modern "art forms", even if I hate them, which generate vast wealth, by appealing to the general public.

I also agree that there is not one person in government, politician, or public servant, qualified to spend my earnings as wisely as I. The dreadful waste of churning money through departments staffed by overpaid dills, may keep the unemployment statistics down, but doesn't help tax payers.

Sorry I can't agree with social housing. I believe it is totally immoral to expect those struggling to make their own way to fund the lazy, incompetent, or unlucky. Anything more than accommodation like an army camp should always be the responsibility of those who want to live in it.

I'm amused by the ignorant statement "we shouldn't be paying for research that goes nowhere".

Apparently, the world is so simple that scientists investigating potential leads to a breakthrough actually know in advance that these will end up fruitless without trying- or do not resort to trial and error?
What happens if a scientist researched a potential avenue that may have been a productive breakthrough- but found it was not worthwhile- do we demand a refund? (Ignoring that their findings are still a profound benefit to all other researchers who may have also considered this discourse but will now save time and money researching others whilst building upon the discoveries of the previous researcher).

Thank goodness Benjamin Franklin didn't feel that way- or we'd probably still be lighting kerosene lamps at night.

Hasbeen
It is nice to be in agreement on some issues. :)

"Sorry I can't agree with social housing. I believe it is totally immoral to expect those struggling to make their own way to fund the lazy, incompetent, or unlucky. Anything more than accommodation like an army camp should always be the responsibility of those who want to live in it."

I can understand why social housing is controversial but I have seen in my previous job the effects of long waiting lists (housing) on the disabled, single parents and low income earners.

Many were living out of their cars for periods of time between rental housing, which is government subsidised in any case.

While government policy has allowed the cost of housing and rentals to spiral, it is just a fact that some people will never be able to realise the 'great Australian dream' of owning a house.

In my experience the number of mentally ill people waiting for housing is a travesty. More social housing is a win-win and I reckon if you add up the costs of long term homelessness the investment is worthwhile.

Dear James,

Thanks for this thread. You're doing something very positive. I shall certainly try to collect as many signatures as I possibly can and I shall send the petitions in. Once again - Thank You.

I remember Dr Victor Chang who was lauded for re-establishing heart transplant surgery in Australia, afterr the field had languished due to the risks and costs. He founded the highly successful National Heart Transplant Program in 1984, created an artificial heart valve, taught his skills to doctors from around the world, and was working on an artificial circulatory system when he was killed. "When no one else was putting their hand up, he was saying, 'Yes, we want to do heart transplants,'" said Dr Phillip Spratt, Director of Heart and Lung surgery, Research, and Transplantation at St Vincent's Hospital, where Chang worked.

Where would people needing this life-saving surgery and research be without tall poppies like Dr Chang? What value can you place on the saving of human lives?

Pelican I guess we're all the product of our experience. I see a lot of the other side of the coin.

We are a fair way out of town. We're here because we wanted 20 acres for the kids horsing. However, many of our neighbours are in the area as there were some pretty cheep developments in the area.

Mostly both parents work, but many are still struggling to keep their heads above the mortgage. There is no public transport, so they often both drive old bombs, on their last legs. Needing a new tyre is bad, a broken anything is a disaster, meaning borrowing more for repairs, or another $1000 bomb in a hurry.

Many are owner builders, who have been building for years. Some still trying to find the cash to complete the internal walls, kitchen, bathrooms etc.

One of them recently borrowed my horse float to pick up the old carpet from the office where he works, when it was redecorated. Some of it was a little worn, but they were behaving like they'd won the lottery. They have been living in their 3/4 built house for 9 years, with no floor covering on the cement anywhere. There are many others in the same situation.

Perhaps you now see why I am not too interested in housing far too many, in much better standard than these neighbours, at the cost of these neighbours.

I may be strange, but I believe anyone who works for their living, & doesn't "p**s it up a wall", but pays their way, deserves to have better accommodation, health care & services, than any who don't work, regardless of why they don't work.

I also believe that those who work hard to help themselves should not be struggling more than necessary, to pay for those who wont.