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

It will start flowing as a result of this year's budget. I am not sure whether that part of it has already found its way through the chamber or not.

These projects for research and development are by way of a competitive process. Applications will be open very shortly and we then expect, once the decisions are made over the four years, for these projects to start being funded. Unlike those opposite, we do not just throw money at a proposal or because we have announced extra funding. We ensure that everything is done in a purposeful manner to ensure that we get possible value for the Australian taxpayer and the actual purpose for which it was designed. That is why it will be a competitive process and applications will open very shortly.