Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

Before answering the question I congratulate Senator Wang on his first speech, delivered on Tuesday night. I think all of his colleagues right around the chamber enjoyed it.

Senator Wang is right to ask about the government's commitment of an additional $100 million to agricultural research and development because that was part of our promise to the agricultural sector at the last election. I can confirm for Senator Wang and the Senate that, in fact, that $100 million extra was in this year's coalition budget. In other words, in the very first budget that we have delivered we have, yet again, delivered on another election promise. That confirms, hopefully, for Senator Wang, that we as a government are genuinely concerned to assist one of the great pillars of the Australian economy—namely agriculture—with research and development funding. We believe that putting it in our very first budget highlights our commitment to that vitally important sector.