Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Jobs and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

You are correct: this week we celebrate the 20th annual Science meets Parliament. There will be a gala dinner tonight, which I understand a number of us are going to. Over the last 20 years it has very much become a celebration of collaboration between researchers, industry and government. Science meets Parliament is a key opportunity for government to hear directly from scientists on the important work they are doing and also on the issues their industry is facing. I also thank Science and Technology Australia for their continued role in coordinating this event.

Science is an essential element of our culture, our community and our economic prosperity. The government provided $10.1 billion last year for science and research, and this year we increased it to $10.3 billion. We have also delivered on the National Innovation and Science Agenda and have made a public commitment to science, as part of Science meets Parliament last year, through Australia's National Science Statement. We have also had a busy start to this year. Earlier this year I was in Townsville and, along with the Prime Minister, announced a further investment of $60 million to secure the future of the Great Barrier Reef. This investment will provide resources to help our scientists, led by the CSIRO and AIMS, to tackle the events which have hit the Great Barrier Reef over recent years. And Assistant Minister Seselja has launched TAIPAN, an instrument purpose-built for the UK Schmidt telescope by the Australian Astronomical Observatory. When we think of Australia's continuing prosperity, we think of science and innovation.