More research, and preparing to go into the field

Well, after having consulted my tutor on what topic I should refine it down to, I definitely stuck with science funding. I didn't know much about what they had received from the budget at this stage, but I wondered that it wouldn't be a great deal.

Turns out, they got heps of money. Billions. And universities to do science research and development too. Which was good news for them. However, I was trying to find a story with conflict. I don't anyone had an issue with the vast amounts of money they were receiving as a result of the recommendations in the 2020 summit. The science community was chuffed.

I attempted to get in touch with them anyway, and this was the start of my problems. In order to contact anyone, details have been restricted to an email address. Which means easy screening of uni students, and no-one has to reply. I got a phone call through to FASTS, who represent the science community, and the friendly guy even took my details to give to the Executive Director. I didn't get a call back.

That didn't matter, because I had decided to chase an issue with more conflict, one that was close to my heart. The changes to Youth Allowance. I was pretty aware of what the changes would mean, and had a pretty good working knowledge of all the ins and outs of it all.

Turns out, there were a lot of changes, and I actually think many of them were good. But I needed conflict. And I found it in a particular set of changes, the ones that had specifically barred me from getting the youth allowance payment. Grrrr.

So, I found a couple of articles that said people were concerned with these changes, and tried to get in touch with the relevant organisations. An email to DEEWR sent me to Julia Gillard, (at least they replied), but I knew she wouldn't have the time of day for a uni student. A phone-call to Centrelink, which got an answer, said I should go to DEEWR. Not helpful.

I figured I was aiming too high. I thought I might get in contact with the UC student assocation. I talked to the friendliest woman, who even gave me the phone number of the Association Vice President (which I found out later they're not supposed to do). Still, I tried calling, no answer.
This awesome lady also told me that the President would definitely be in on monday, so I tried to keep this as a last resort.