Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

I can say that it has been very positively received. But the innovation and science agenda is of course, though, just the start of our government's journey. We want to make sure that we build on the investment of $9.7 billion this year alone in science and research and that we give certainty to our research infrastructure. We have given that certainty—decade-long certainty—to research infrastructure through the NCRIS, which those opposite left funding cliffs for. That is giving secure employment to 1,700 highly skilled technical and research staff and supporting 35,000 researchers in their work.

But it is focusing not just on research also about investment. We are providing under the innovation agenda 10-year exemptions under capital gains tax for investors in innovative start-ups. That compares with those opposite, who want to increase capital gains tax paid by those who are investing in Australia—a clear contrast on this side, with a plan to drive down taxes and create more jobs through more investment as against those opposite, who want to do the exact opposite. (Time expired)