Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

The Gillard government is a strong supporter of rural research and development investment. Our government has a plan for Australian agriculture, unlike those opposite. Our plan is to build on the strong foundation for farmers through our new opportunities in the Asian century and to prepare for the future. The key to that is research and development. In five budgets to date, the Gillard government has provided research and development corporations with approximately $1.1 billion and this government is a proud defender of the work that is done in research and development.

In fact, when the Productivity Commission tried to halve the research and development funding, this government rejected that. However, I cannot say the same for the coalition government, the Liberals and National parties on the other side. The Institute of Public affairs belled the cat on the savage cuts that would hit regional Australia under an Abbott government. The Liberals and Nationals are using tactics of there being a small target before the election and using groups like the IPA to develop their hit list—that is what you are doing—so you can implement the cuts should you get into government.

In response to this, the member for Calare, Mr Cobb, refused to release their policy plan for agriculture. You do not have a plan for agriculture. You have not articulated what your plan for agriculture will be. Mr Cobb said that it would be released in good time. That is hardly reassuring for farmers. The Gillard government remains committed to a strong agricultural— (Time expired)

Honourable senators interjecting—