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

I want to put a few of the key facts on the record, and I welcome, actually, the opportunity for a discussion about the future of the CSIRO and the role that it plays not just here in the ACT but as our premier national science—importantly, applied science—and industrial research organisation. The CSIRO is the recipient of, in round terms, a billion dollars a year in public funding. That is not its only source of income, but it's a very significant contribution from the Commonwealth government. It will continue to be a very significant contribution from the Commonwealth government. There are no funding cuts from this government for the CSIRO. There is nothing but respect from this government for the role that the CSIRO plays not just in terms of its own work but in terms of the important facilitative and leadership role it plays across the rest of Australia's research and development system.