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

Thank you, Senator Pocock. I can tell you, in relation to NCRIS, to our broader research infrastructure requirements, in relation to our science institutions, that this Albanese government, in every year that we've been in office—but I can tell you that in particular over the last year—has put in more than any previous government to deliver sustainability and focused effort across our research infrastructure. We will, of course, as part of our normal budget processes in the lead-up to every budget, in the normal way, make an assessment of the short- and long-term requirements for research infrastructure funding.

I have been very happy to be able to be part of a government that, in relation to the CSIRO, which in terms of research infrastructure and its assets around Australia has a very substantial research footprint, in this budget added, in addition to the around $1 billion that the government provides to the CSIRO, an additional $387.4 million, in addition to the more than $200 million that the government provided in MYEFO last year. This is a government that is serious about the role of science and serious about the role of the full research and development sector, including our incredible universities. I saw Senator Hanson, in one of the three right-wing parties over here, bagging the university sector earlier today. Our fantastic universities are doing fantastic research work. All of the Australian research infrastructure is pointing in the right direction. (Time expired)