Senator JOHNSTON (3:21 PM) —I note the earnest contribution of Senator George Campbell in this very important and serious matter of research and development. He could not even wait for the debate to be completed. He was not interested in the outcome of the debate and left the chamber. I find that indicative of the degree—

Senator Hill —He had a press release—

Senator JOHNSTON —Yes. I find that indicative of the degree of seriousness with which he raises this issue. He says that the evidence is clear that we are at the bottom in terms of world performance on the issue of R&D. Where is the substance and detail to that allegation? It is simply a platitude, simply a statement—and a hollow one.

Senator Carr —Read the FASTS report from yesterday!

Senator JOHNSTON —There is an awful lot of reference from the other side after the issue is raised. But when they are in debate, they never think it is appropriate to actually come forward with the detail. It is always a shout across the floor whilst seated.

What we have achieved in research and development since taking office in 1996 has been quite remarkable and stark in contrast to the complete and utter lack of performance and, what is worse, lack of understanding of industry from the previous government until 1996. There we are with criticism and no detail; the allegations are hollow. Let me talk about a couple of projects that I am aware of as a casual observer. The first relates to the Commonwealth contribution to the Commonwealth cooperative research centre at Curtin University in Western Australia—a centre which specialises in extractive metallurgical technology. The centre has been responsible for the considerable reduction of the dollar cost per tonne in the treatment and processing of metallurgical ores, particularly gold. This centre, funded almost entirely by the Commonwealth, is a research centre bringing together the expertise of the CSIRO, Curtin University, Brisbane University and Murdoch University. Its contribution has been outstanding. I note that Senator Carr is again leaving the chamber. This centre is an example of this government working cooperatively with industry to produce a most excellent world-class outcome.

I turn also to the contribution made by the Commonwealth with respect to the gravitational wave observatory and the spin-offs that have flowed from that. This is a project in Western Australia funded almost entirely by the Commonwealth, where we have joined five other countries in research associated with the measuring of gravitational waves. The development of this observatory, where two laser beams are sent out at right angles over a distance of two kilometres and the fluctuation of these laser beams is measured inside a minus 14 degree atmosphere vacuum tank, has led to the discovery of a number of substantial and important industrial breakthroughs, such as a refrigeration process, a radar amplifier and a stabilising system that eliminates vibration. There has been a whole host of spin-offs for industry through the research which this Commonwealth government, through its understanding, respect and ability to pick good projects, has promoted and this had led to an enormous amount of success.

Lastly, I want to comment on some of the software developments. Senator Campbell focused upon the fact that a Microsoft man was allegedly involved in the trip when we went over to Silicon Valley, and the $8,600 was used to visit the Microsoft centre in the USA. Australia is on the cutting edge and is a leader in the development of software. This government has contributed to it substantially time and again. Let me give one example: Australian Defence Industries has developed software for a command and control system for terrorist and emergency services that brings together the operatives involved at short notice to alleviate a particular emergency or terrorist threatening situation. This software has enormous potential to be exported overseas, particularly to Europe. There again, the Australian government is on the front line as one of the principal customers of that organisation, assisting in its development. There is simply a host of things that this government has done in terms of industrial research and development. (Time expired)