So Australia has committed funds to a joint space program and hasn’t it caused a stir? My question is why?

Firstly, it’s not the first time Australia has contributed to the US space program. Secondly, the technological advancements that have come from the space program over the years have been invaluable. Thirdly, the Australian Government had recently committed to being kore involved in space exploration, and finally, it’s only $150 million. In the over all scheme of things, it’s a drop in the bucket.

However, the usual desk thumpers will try to tell you that by spending that $150 million, the Government has taken money away from something else. We should know that’s not how it works.

Why do we have this view that a Government can only do or pay for one thing at a time, all the while complaining that they can’t fix every problem all at once – even when it’s not their problem to fix?

Our strategic alliance with the US has lasted 100 years and has been incredibly valuable, but all of a sudden, the US has a President that the media darlings don’t like, so we beat things up.

As I say quite often, we’ve become a pack of whingers.