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

I would agree with the assumptions that you have made within the question, Senator. The fact is that the CSIRO budget has been expanding under this government. We will see an increase in investment in research for 2010-11 by some $21.4 million and a 50 per cent increase in expenditure on scientific equipment to $37 million. The prioritisation of research activity comes about as a result of the increased support for the capability development within CSIRO as a direct result of the increased expenditure that this government has provided for CSIO. You are right: on top of that, there is additional income being received from external sources, particularly from other government departments and from the Weiland decisions. The anticipated funding increase has to be seen in the context of the fact that there are increased costs, and the government acknowledges that. (Time expired)