Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

In respect of cooperative research centres, which is the program that is my responsibility and in my portfolio, that is just not true, Senator. Just because it says so in the paper does not make it true. The funds have not been frozen and the application round is continuing. But, as I said, there is a general review within government of spending and grant rounds.

In terms of the Commercialisation Australia program, apart from the general proposition that I just explained to you regarding the review of all the grant programs, I am not sure that anything in particular has happened. I will take that question on notice because I am not responsible for that program. It falls within Minister Combet's purview and I will take it on notice and report back to the Senate if there is anything particular occurring in relation to that program.