Cause there's more "[shortterm] value" in selling stuff then in basic science. I have not seem any serious investment by any of the Australian Governments in supporting Australia research. It has always been applied science, or supporting multi nationals through weird R&D Grants with the occasional token tidbit to basic research. Yes, I am a bit bitter and twisted! Edit: Wanted to add some info regarding our Governments bullshit. https://microkerneldude.org/2022/02/17/a-story-of-betrayal-csiros-war-on-ts/ Yes I'm biased, I worked with this stuff, building secure systems.