Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

The government supports renewable energy and acknowledges the important role it plays in Australia's diverse energy mix. Through ARENA taxpayers' money is supporting $1 billion worth of renewable energy projects. One billion dollars is a significant investment in any industry and we believe that taxpayers must see outcomes from their investment.

I should also point out that the higher-education reforms will make possible funding for two research initiatives—for which Labor left a funding cliff. They are the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy and the Future Fellowships program. These depend on the passing of the reforms and they are further proof the government is committed to research.

Question agreed to.