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

I thank Senator Marshall for providing me with the opportunity to cast some light on some very dark corners over there. We have some real knuckle-draggers out here today; we have some people who refuse to face up to the challenges of the 21st century. They believe that a 45 per cent increase in the price of the dollar has no impact on business operations and exports. This government is providing assistance to industry so it is able to be more competitive, so it is able to be more productive, so it is able to be more sustainable.

Whether it be through our industry programs such as the $800 million Clean Technology Investment Program, a program those opposite oppose, or whether it be through Enterprise Connect, a program those opposite want to cut, or whether it be through Commercialisation Australia, another program the coalition want to cut, or whether it be through the Buy Australia campaign, a program those opposite refuse to support, or whether it be through the training packages or the modernisation of our telec­ommunications system, a modernisation the coalition also opposes, or whether it be through the long list of measures including the investment support that we are providing for business, which those opposite also oppose, we are in the business of working with manufacturers and all the exporters across this country to ensure that we are able to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Our financial commitments are demonstrated by the 43 per cent increase in support for science, research and innovation that has occurred under this government. This is part of an international consensus that is developing where we know the importance of putting our universities and our science agencies at the front line of the transformation of our major businesses. Take, for instance, our industrial PhD programs, our Researchers in Business program and the major reform of the R&D incentives system which has been passed by the Senate today— (Time expired)