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

We are obviously very disappointed that the opposition has so much to learn. They have yet to understand the importance of collaboration, which is fundamental to building manufacturing industries in this country and to building jobs into the future. That is why the government has established the industry innovation councils, which bring together government, researchers, unions and companies at the most senior levels. It is a great strength of our manufacturing sector that we are able to ensure that people are able to confront issues, not walk away from them. They do not rely on lies and half-truths, which the opposition seems to delight in peddling.

That is why I am so surprised that the opposition now seeks to cut these programs. We know this comes on top of their existing approach to innovation policy, which is to cut support for industry. The opposition is not big on honesty or integrity when it comes to these policy issues. They are not big on coming clean on what their policies mean in the hunt for the $70 billion they need— (Time expired)