Clever country? Our brightest are kept dirt poor

In the last quarter of 2008, a significant group of Australians was living below the poverty line. For a single person, this meant living on less than $415.06 a week. These people were working full time — 40 hours a week, and probably much more. They received no employer superannuation and weren't entitled to concessions or pensions.

Who were they? Illegal migrant workers? Sweatshop employees unaware of their rights? No — they were some of Australia's best and brightest minds: PhD students.

A PhD is a long-term research project. PhD students take up these projects after undergraduate studies. They work for about four years to train as independent researchers with the aim of making a significant contribution to knowledge. If successful, a PhD student is awarded a doctorate (D) of philosophy (Ph) and can begin a research career.

Research into the fundamental questions of science and the humanities is what drives a society forward. The application of the resultant knowledge makes a society healthier, wealthier, happier and more productive. To invest in research is to invest in a society's long-term well-being.

Four reports into research and higher education were delivered to the Government in 2008, and each recommended increasing the nation's investment in research and development.
In response, the 2009-10 budget increased funding to science and innovation by 25 per cent. For the basic research administered by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, the CSIRO, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Australian Research Council, funds were increased by 8 per cent overall.

These increases will go some way to improving Australia's gross expenditure on research and development, which was last measured at 2.01 per cent of GDP, below the 2.26 per cent OECD average.

But the budget was another disappointment to PhD students. Their stipends will increase 10 per cent from $20,427 in 2009 to $22,500 in 2010. This is an improvement relative to the 2 per cent increase between 2008 ($20,007) and 2009, but nowhere near what is needed..

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theage.com.au 14 May 2009

It is NOT in ANY government's policy to educate the masses beyond a certain level.

ALL crucial position of Law, Science, Politics, Medical, etc are kept within the elite from their 'special' schools which the masses have NO ACCESS to

In the schools for the masses in Australia, SPORT / BLUE COLLAR JOBS / SOCIAL ACTIVITIES are encouraged, and academia FROWNED upon.

Australia is becoming a DUMB nation in true spirit of the US Rockefeller Education System.

Rockefeller who gave Americans the worst education system in the world.

See youtube video :
Rockefeller shutting down Internet - Bills 773 & 778