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

I think Senator Wright's question was phrased a little uncharitably, but as I indicated yesterday the $62 million investment for the National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program has continued to fund more than 450 projects across schools, universities and language organisations, and this will be continuing to fund activities into 2013. We are absolutely committed to building on that program to support the objectives in the white paper. I point out to the Senate that the white paper is a statement of the government's policy, and the Asian Century White Paper makes it very clear that engagement with Asian languages and culture is a key part of what we are going to need to do as a country to maximise the benefits from this change that is occurring in world economic power. (Time expired)