Senator ABETZ (Tasmania—Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service and Minister for Employment) (14:42): It is the height of cheek to have that question from a former minister who presided over cuts to ANSTO, CSIRO and the Cooperative Research Centres—indeed, I think he saw the demise of three of them during his time in government. Senator Carr presided over a huge cuts in these areas, so for him now to pretend to be their champion is, I must say, a little bit rich. The Prime Minister is well known for his support of science for research. Indeed, in my home state of Tasmania we have seen an absolute commitment to the Antarctic endeavours with funding for a ship that Labor promised but without funding. As was their wont in so many areas, including in the scientific space, Labor made the promises but then never budgeted for them or provided the funding base. What did we do? We actually provided the funding base for a replacement vessel for the Aurora Australis, which will assist— Senator Moore: Mr President, I have a point of order, on direct relevance. There was only one question and it was: why has the Prime Minister not met with the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council during his first year in office? The PRESIDENT: There was a preamble in relation to the science portfolio as well. Senator Abetz has 42 seconds left to answer the question. I remind the minister of the question. Senator ABETZ: The budget also provides $28 million for science for Australia's future, and so the list goes on. Whether the Prime Minister has or has not met with the particular council to which the honourable senator refers I do not know, but what I am happy to do is to see if the Prime Minister wants to add anything to my answer.