Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

I have of course addressed the fundamental issue here, which is the national innovation revolution that is being pursued by the government. It is said to me that we should reconsider 71 applications which were before the government at the time that the budget decisions were made. In what part of the process was it ever said that there will be a guaranteed outcome for an application for a government grant? At what point in the process was that ever stated? At what point in the process was it ever stated that a particular government was prevented from changing the decisions of a previous government? At what point in the process has it ever been said that applicants cannot make approaches to the department for alternative programs which are currently underway? That is what I have indicated to this chamber and what I have indicated to the people who have approached the department. (Time expired)