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

I am really quite disturbed that so few opposition senators have chosen to participate in Science meets Parliament. The fact remains that curiosity-driven research is important but so is the importance of providing answers to the big questions facing our society. We are in the business of building the tools to power the nation in the 21st century. And if we look at our phenom­enal potential with new technology, we do not have to go much further than the CSIRO. It estimates that supply of around 30 per cent of Australian energy will be able to be provided through renewable energy sources. This will not be done without our scientists. They will not be able to get the investment they need without a carbon price, and they will not be able to do this without ensuring that we respect their contribution to Australia's future development. That is why the CSIRO is working with industry to bring down the cost of solar technology. That is why we are building two of the largest and most efficient solar plants in the world in Moree. (Time expired.)