The truest of believers celebrated the 10th anniversary of Kevin Rudd’s election on Friday, including the ever-focused Kim Carr who used the event to commemorate Kev from Queensland’s commitment to research and innovation, and to contrast Labor policy with what he says is the coalition practise of announcing innovation but not mentioning shortfall funding.
“A Shorten Labor government will have to take on the task of repairing the damage wreaked under Abbott and Turnbull. Bill Shorten has set a goal of spending 3 per cent of GDP on research and development by 2030. The record shows that only Labor understands what is required to promote and sustain Australian science and research, and only Labor is willing to do it,” the Opposition research spokesman said.
But Senator Carr also used the opportunity to pitch his party to the research establishment, making the case that Labor is the friend of pure research.
“The government has shown interest only in commercialisation – in research that turns a quick buck. Australia’s ability to do basic, curiosity-driven research has been degraded. The government does not understand that if we cease to do basic research, our ability to do effective applied research will decline along with it. The record shows that only Labor understands what is required to promote and sustain Australian science and research, and only Labor is willing to do it.”