At the request of Senator McKenzie, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) recognises:

(i) that research and development is critical for Australia's prosperity, economic growth and social wellbeing,

(ii) that investment in, and application of, research and development can lift productivity in Australia, and

(iii) the need for continued research and development to meet the goal of increasing Australia's productivity, economic growth and employment in the 21st Century; and

(b) congratulates the Government for providing $139.5 million over 4 years to continue the Future Fellowships scheme for outstanding mid-career Australian researchers to:

(i) enable Australian researchers to conduct their research in Australia,

(ii) attract and retain the best Australian mid-career researchers, and

(iii) support research into areas of crucial national importance.