Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

The industries of the future will be built on many different platforms, including biotechnology and nanotechnology. The government this week released its National Enabling Technologies Strategy to guide the responsible development of these technologies. Nanotech and biotech promise to give us breakthrough medicines, faster computers, cleaner energy, stronger and lighter materials, more abundant and nutritious food, purer water and much more besides. This government, make no mistake about it, welcomes debate on scientific questions. Our scientists devote their whole lives to the contest of ideas. But the debate has to be on scientific grounds; it cannot be based—