Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator Pocock. The government absolutely values and puts at the centre of our approach to science the valuable role of the CSIRO and the work that it does in terms of scientific research and applied industrial research. This government has made no changes to the CSIRO's base funding. Decisions on staffing and prioritisation, of course, are a matter for the CSIRO's board and management. They know that the CSIRO making sure that it continues to perform its function is critical as we approach some of the big technology challenges that the modern age presents Australia with. It is absolutely vital that the CSIRO stays on task and is properly resourced. I am working very closely with them around those questions. We value the contribution that CSIRO scientists and CSIRO staff make. We want the work that the CSIRO does to be sustainable in the long term.

I note that in the recent budget this government provided an additional $45 million on top of that base funding, to help maintain the CSIRO's world-class research capability as they focus on their role, their footprint around Australia and making sure that they are in a position to discharge that important public function in a way that is focused upon the science priorities that Australia needs to meet as a nation.