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Monday, 22 August 2011
Page: 5098

Senator CARR (Victoria—Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) (21:33): I indicate that the government does not support this amendment. The govern­ment has accepted the recommendations of the Senate Economics Legislation Com­mittee in relation to the object clauses. Therefore we have sought the changes necessary throughout the consultation process. The measures here, we argue, have been carefully considered and well conceived and clearly reflect the policy intent of the bill. The bill will support R&D where the knowledge produced can be either general or in applied form. Such knowledge can range from blue sky research through to experimental development in a production environment. The proposed modification would actually impede the understanding of the bill and not do, as I understand, what the opposition senators are seeking to do. The government's position is that we do actually need to have that broad definition as it is indicated in the bill.

Question negatived.