Do you support the NSW government's decision to finance Christopher Reeve's trip? This topic is now closed - this is what you said. I don't think this is going to break the States bank. Look at what he has achieved, what he hopes to achieve while he's here, and the hope he gives to other to suffer the same disabilities. You will fly again Superman Marc Higgins   I would think that the money would be better off spent towards research than airfares and accommodation for one person Michael Campbell   Why are we unable to find someone locally do the job?. The money spent to bring Mr Reeve out to Australia could go directly into reasearch on this topic. Or even better back into the community from where the money has come from. I am a Australian tax payer who lives in Australia i would like to see my Tax dollars stay in Australia. Bec   Are we so shallow headed these days?? Do we only listen if a celebrity speaks?? What about the many other local people suffering? Why can't we pay more attention to them? I can barely take an overseas holiday myself.. and yet my tax dollars are going to pay for one for a celebrity!! hmmm... I pray Christopher Reeves makes a recovery but I'm sorry I don't think we can afford to pay for his trip. I'd rather see my tax dollars going towards helping someone who hasn't had the chance that Mr. Reeves has had at making a living! Please do not stress Mr.Reeves into making a trip overseas! Anon   im a huge fan and he is a brave man, but $134,000 of tax payers money for him to come out, no way you've got to be joking, the government cries poor all the time, raising taxes, cutting schools, health care, police, etc and they want to spend our hard earnt money for what? yes for what? havent we got enough problems in our own backyard where that kind of money could make a difference to some unfortunant 'australians', who the hell do these people think they are to even think of ripping off their own country this way, the people that want mr reeves here should pay out of their own pockets and not take advantage of all working australians, its funny we vote people in to do the right thing by the australian public then these idiots think they have the power to do anything they like, they forget who voted them in and thats a sad thing. peter boskov   This will hopefully lead to breakthroughs on injuries that cost the NSW community much much more than $130,000 a year... Superman Supporter   With reference to the 212 SMH article 'Reeve's trip to cost taxpayers $134,300,' in May 2001 I was present when Mr Reeve gave the keynote address for Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) graduating class of 2001. Despite enormous physical constraints and obvious discomfort, he spoke well. For the assembled, there was simply no doubting Mr Reeve's courage or conviction; he made no apologies for using his profile as an actor or wealth as a means of speaking out on behalf of disabled people. He urged SIPA's class of 2001 that, no matter what field we enter, public or private, to use our education to uphold and advance the rights of the disabled. It was in this sense a very American message, big on hope and inspiration. I am not sure if Columbia picked up some of the tab for Mr Reeve's visit to the campus. It did take a few extra hands and was heavy on technology given that he is paralysed from the neck down. However, even if our fees did cover some of the cost, I do not think anyone would have been so ungracious as to make an issue of this. We felt privileged to have Mr Reeve speak to us. Best regards Paul Bourke paul martin bourke   No. Can't Corporate Australia pay?? Daniel Bennett   We all admire Christopher Reeve. His determination and courage are good examples for all. However, we can use the money better for our farmers and fire fighters who battle just as hard and in some case even harder. Keep my tax dollar with our Australian heros. Francis Cochrane   Disabled Tom, Dick or Harry speak at the conference. Do you think that's going to attract much publicity? I seriously doubt it. Christpher Reeves speaks at the conference. It will be on TV, in newspapers, on radio and in magazines. That's the difference between bringing in someone local and paying $130000 to bring in Reeves. Get it?   Nope, I don't think I need Christopher Reeve to be here in person to listen to what he has to say. I think if they just make a recording and air it on radio or the TV..the message will travel alot further than him coming here personally. How many of us are actully going to go and listen to him. Secondly aren't there other people suffering from the same thing locally? Do we need to bring someone from overseas?? He's not superman anymore you know!!! Put that money towards the research or spend it on other more realistic causes such as the drought or on keeping our borders safe... I think Mr. Reeves has made enough money in his lifetime to fly himself around and spread messages that are of a worthy cause! He definitely doesn't need my tax dollars! Lets keep Superman on the big screen !!!   As I'm sure he would find it physically more comfortable to remain in his own home, embarking on such an exhausting complicated voyage seems to me best proof of his own commitment and conviction to not only increase public awareness of such disabilities but also the will and hope to find a cure for them. I wish him a warm welcome and contribute with my taxes gladly. Sylvie Hutchinson   It's not really that much money in retrospect. A lot of people have looked up to Christopher Reeve and can feel his pain. It's good for sufferers to associate a celebrity with their disease, as, after all celebrities are all human beings. They are not bulletproof. I think it would be very worthwhile him visiting Australia and I have no problem with the tax I pay going towards his visit. There are a lot of other wasted avenues the Government currently spends our money on. JT Source Sydney Morning Herald ###