Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Bernardi most sincerely for his question and acknowledge his longstanding interest in Adelaide industry. It is always nice to get a question in relation to industry because, funnily enough, there has not been a question this year from those opposite—in fact, not a question since 7 July last year. When you worry about and wonder about who is actually interested in industry, it is Senator Bernardi—versus Senator Carr, who has not bothered asking a question since 7 July last year.

Indeed, I say to Senator Bernardi that, as he would be aware—and across his own state—there is an economic transition occurring. What the government want to do is to ensure that we provide industry with the opportunity to face its challenges, take the lead and create jobs in areas of Australia's economic strengths. We are transitioning from a nation that was built on farming, an economy based on farming, which then developed into manufacturing and commodities and is now turning to high-value-add sectors based on research and innovation. To keep creating jobs in the future, Australia must play to its global economic strengths.

Senator Bernardi referred to the Industry Growth Centres Initiative. It is $188.5 million which will establish five growth centres in key industry sectors, Senator Bernardi: advanced manufacturing; food and agribusiness; medical technologies and pharmaceuticals; mining equipment, technology and services; and oil, gas and energy resources. A significant goal for these organisations will be to forge better links between industry and Australia's world-class researchers and maximise the return on this nation's $9.2 billion annual investment in science and— (Time expired)