Thank you for reminding us - we need far more threads of this critically important topic here. We should be focusing our wealth/spend on areas with the greatest future potential.
We hear you and wish that Australia took more care of its own.
I have a suggestion - re-post under a title that more will take notice of.
Our best opportunities are our renewable resources - Agriculture and Science - two areas that do not receive the recognition and spend that they deserve.
Looking at Australian Export trade figures from 2-3 years ago, Agriculture % was surprisingly lower than I expected:
Minerals & Fuels approx 51% Services 16% Manufacturing approx 13% Agriculture approx 11% Gold (separated, probably because it is high) approx 5% Other approx 4%
Agriculture export feeds only 60 million people. The scope for our Agriculture is far far higher than what it is - definitely recognised by Asian and other overseas parties looking to buy land/resources here.
Farmerblue - would be interesting for you and other farmers on HC to spell out your ideal scenario blueprint for Australian Agriculture for the 21st Century.