Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science) Share this | Hansard source

I am not aware of the source of the shadow minister's figures. I am aware that some figures have been thrown around which sometimes conflate scientists with other employees. In other words, you have to look at the mix of employees you are talking about. But if you are saying to me that the science and research sector cannot play a role in budget repair because of previous decisions under both Labor governments and coalition governments then I have to say that is wrong. We cannot have a situation with either side of politics saying that, because one sector is particularly important, it is always exempt from the budget repair. That is always on a case-by-case basis, but, in the last few years, this government has put more resources into science and research, and we have put the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy, for example, on a strong 10-year basis. We have provided a 10-year funding guarantee—an extra $150 million a year. That is what we inherited from Labor. We had increasing prices. We have put it on a long-term basis. We are now looking at the research— (Time expired)