Senator COOK —My question is directed to Senator Parer, the Minister representing the Minister for Science and Technology. Is it a fact that a $20,000 grant approved to Australians for an Ecologically Sustainable Population under the science and technology aware ness grant program was vetoed by Minister McGauran four weeks later? What were the circumstances surrounding the approval and withdrawal of this grant? What role was played by the minister or his staff in the withdrawing of the grant? Is it a fact that Mr McGauran's office has denied that the minister played any role in the withdrawing of the grant? Is it also a fact that in the Senate estimates committee Mr Malcolm Farrow, First Assistant Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Tourism, when asked whether the grant was `knocked out by the minister's office' replied, `By the minister'? Minister, who is telling the truth—the minister, Mr McGauran, or the First Assistant Secretary, Mr Farrow?

Senator PARER —I understand from the minister that, following national advertising and a mail-out, 179 applications for funding support from the science and technology awareness program were received requesting a total of $11 million. Advice on projects to be supported was offered to the Minister for Science and Technology from a four-member science and technology awareness grants committee. The minister approved 36 projects to receive science and technology awareness program funding support. The objective of the program is to increase awareness and understanding of the central role which science and technology play in Australia's economic and social wellbeing. In considering the Australians for an Ecologically Sustainable Population Inc. application, the minister formed the view that it would contribute less to the STAP objectives than a number of other applications under consideration.

Senator COOK —Madam President, my supplementary question is: so Mr Farrow is right and the minister knocked out the application?

Senator PARER —I think I have made it very clear that this went before a committee. There were a lot of applications and, of the 179 applications, 36 were approved.