Interesting how some of the comments on this thread reinforce exactly what he was trying to say.
Charlie Teo was invited to make a speech. He told his story, about his love for this country, but also about the racism he and his family had to endure. I for one am glad to be reminded of the hurt that one's actions cause once in a while, as not everyone is as resilient as this man.
He also made some very valid points about the lack of government funding that causes the best minds in this country to have to look for work abroad, due to lack of prospects in their country of birth. What a waste of talent. What's the point of educating people if they have to leave in order to get a job (in their chosen field) to advance their careers? Politicians must think an awful lot of people want to be miners after they graduate.
Charlie Teo is undoubtedly the most famous neurosurgeon this country has, yet he gets funding for research that is 1/1000th of that of his American counterpart. His desire to improve the outcome for brain tumour patients has seen him become a pariah, and many in his profession have tried to discredit him simply because he would not play the game, and dared to try other options to save otherwise terminal patients.
He has given up a lot, both personally and professionally to stay in this country. In hindsight, he was actually much kinder and more positive about Australia than it deserves.
