Senator CORMANN (Western Australia—Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister for Finance, Special Minister of State and Vice-President of the Executive Council) (14:53): The answer to the last question is no. The Australian government recognises the fundamental place of science in Australia's economy and social wellbeing. That's why it remains central to our jobs and innovation agenda. And that is also why the Prime Minister has appointed an outstanding minister for jobs and innovation in Senator Cash. The national science statement released in— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Order on both sides of the chamber. Senator CORMANN: The government continues to make smart, strategic investments in science, research and innovation which will pay off in the long term. In the 2017-18 budget, we are investing $10.3 billion in research and development, which includes a record $3.6 billion for university research, $794 million for the CSIRO, $3.1 billion in support for business research through the research and development tax incentive, $473 million for defence, science and technology, $758 million through the Australian Research Council and $841 million through the National Health and Medical Research Council. Under the National Innovation and Science Agenda, the government has also made a number of significant longer-term investments, including $2.3 billion over 10 years to support critical research infrastructure. The government is also investing $119 million over 10 years to become a strategic partner in the European Southern Observatory. This will provide Australian researchers international collaboration opportunities and access to the world's best infrastructure in astronomy. Through our strong support for science, we will boost our nation's capacity to innovate. To those around Australia interested in science innovation, the best advice I can give them is: don't listen to Senator Carr. The PRESIDENT: Senator Carr, a supplementary question.