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

I cannot verify any of the figures that Senator Fielding has put to us this afternoon. What I can say, though, is that what we have is a sharp contrast between the performance of this government and the performance of the previous government. What we have is an opposition that is actually in the business of opposing for the sake of opposing. They are not in the business of discussing food security, water supply, research and innovation, or building for the future of this country in any way. What you have is an opposition that really is all about trying to oppose for the sake of it. Senator Fielding, I think you should have a look at the record. You should look at the facts and you should actually ask yourself why you are lining up so often with this opposition.