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

The Cooperative Research Centres Program gives researchers, businesses and government agencies the chance to work collaboratively on scientific, technical, social and environmental problems of national significance. The first 15 CRCs were established 18 years ago, in March 1991, by the late John Button. Since then, Australia has benefited from the work of 168 CRCs, including the 48 that are operating today. The program has been widely emulated overseas. Last year the government issued new guidelines to refocus the CRC Program on public good and the needs of end users. That was to overturn the policy positions the previous government had to undermine the CRC program. Applications for the 11th round of CRC funding close this week. This is a great program, an iconic program, and a program which all Australians should be proud of. (Time expired)