Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator Sinodinos. Can the minister update the Senate on how the government is serving as an exemplar in the science and innovation field?

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable senator for his question and his ongoing interest in industry, innovation and science in many ways. One of the pillars of the Turnbull government's National Innovation and Science Agenda—

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Did you say 'one of the pillows'?

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pillars. I will get you a pillow, Senator Cameron, if that will suit you better.

Opposition senators interjecting—

They do not want to hear about the National Innovation and Science Agenda. Doesn't that say it all? They are worried about talking about that pillar that we call government leading by example. I am proud that under the Turnbull government in areas like defence innovation we are leading the way through our naval military shipbuilding program. We are using that procurement to drive innovation throughout the Australian economy through upstream and downstream linkages. I am proud of the fact that we have got the Digital Transformation Agency, which is going to revolutionise the delivery of government services. We are going to be digitising government services and improving our capability, which will lead to better services for all the people who rely on government in various ways, whether it is people in business or people seeking to access their payments from the government. We are using science and innovation to improve our energy policy options. Through the National Innovation and Science Agenda we are also serving our agenda around research infrastructure. We are going to be encouraging a 10-year plan on research infrastructure promoting what I believe are globe-leading facilities in this country which will promote collaboration between research, government and industry. (Time expired)

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Smith, a supplementary question.

Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister explain the importance of evidence based policymaking in this endeavour?

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The opposition have had a bad week. The scientists, almost universally, have approved what we have been doing this week. I could go through a whole folder of aggravation, but I will leave that to one side on this occasion. To make informed decisions we must rely on expert advice, especially from scientists. Increasingly, we have seen conclusions from experts being cast aside in favour of ideological positions and the selective use of facts. The only credible response to these positions is scientific fact. Drawing on scientific rigour and expertise, we have the best chance to solve seemingly intractable economic and social problems. The Innovation and Science Australia board is putting together a plan for our whole innovation, science and research system to 2030. That will inform our policymaking going forward across the whole sector, across government. (Time expired)

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Smith, a final supplementary question.

Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister explain the importance of collaboration in science and innovation?

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Collaboration between researchers and businesses is essential if we are to enjoy the economic benefits of great Australian ideas. The Innovation and Science Australia report on the state of the system in 2016 clearly showed that we are fantastic at knowledge creation, we punch above our weight internationally, but we need to do more.

Senator Kim Carr interjecting—

The shadow minister talks about 'Fs'. Why is he swearing in this chamber?

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, a big 'F'!

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left!

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The recent performance survey by ISA indicates that we have to do more in the area of collaboration to translate research output into commercial ideas here in Australia. We cannot expect every idea to be commercialised in Australia but we are keen to commercialise as many ideas here in Australia as we can, bringing research, industry and government together to do that.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.