Shortsighted approach to education spending

CRAIG BARRETT of Intel deserves credit for highlighting the fact that investment in research and education gives a very good return for the resources involved and is more important than investment in banks.

Yet we have Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe, his government colleagues and indeed many politicians of the main opposition parties who want to restrict access to education by charging fees and cutting expenditure on research.

Our policymakers need to examine their priorities. If we are to get out of this recession and remain economically competitive into the future we need to ensure our education system is accessible to all and we also need to remain in the forefront of scientific research.