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

I thank the senator for his question. I appreciate that he has actually had a look at the statement that was put down yesterday. It outlined a long-term vision for manufactur­ing in this country and highlighted the approach the government is taking to deal with the largest structural change we have seen for over two generations. And, of course, it is not a policy position that we have come out with in a kneejerk manner. It is not a policy response that we have come out with as if events had just occurred. From the day this government was elected we have worked on processes to ensure we have in train a policy response to the substantial changes that are occurring in our society. We understand the critical role science and research plays. The statement yesterday went to the process that we have in train to devel­op global R&D centres in this country—