Senator Kim Carr

IN DEFENCE OF BASIC RESEARCH 

Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities annual conference

University of Tasmania

Hobart

Friday 2 September 2016

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I am pleased and honoured to be returned as a Senator for Victoria, and congratulate the other senators declared elected.

Despite public opinion to the contrary, and perhaps experience, I still regard politics as a noble calling.

Since I was first elected in 1993, I have seen 155 senators come and go, four of them twice: Jacinta Collins, Louise Pratt, Don Farrell and Sandy MacDonald.

Since Federation, there have been 580 senators.

The rate of turnover has accelerated. In the last Parliament, the 44th, 45 per cent of senators had less than six years’ experience.

It is important to remember, in a country that claims not to value experience, that there is always more to learn.

As is now expected in Senate polls, there were many candidates – 116 in this state.

 SPEECH TO CSIRO FORUM

HOBART

WEDNESDAY, 11 MAY 2016

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The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s aims are set out in the Science and Industry Research Act of 1949. 

I’ve read what you say about yourselves: Medicines Australia drives the creation and development of an environment for the continued sustainable growth of the innovative, research-based prescription medicines industry.

There’s a lot in that sentence: words like drive, creation, sustainable, innovation and research.

Whatever way you read it, your industry has a crucial place in the national innovation system. 

Thank you for inviting me to be with you tonight as you honour colleagues who have made distinguished contributions to your profession and the wider industry.

I acknowledge the President of the Society of Automotive Engineers, Mr Adrian Feeney; the Executive Director, Ms Natalie Roberts; and members of the Society’s board.

Auto: An industry with a future

australian automotive national summit

hotel realm, canberra

THURSDAY, 20 august 2015

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WHAT’S MISSING IN RESEARCH POLICY 

SPEECH TO INNOVATIVE RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES SENIOR STAFF FORUM

Wednesday, 22 July 2015 

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CULTURAL DIVERSITY: AUSTRALIA’S GREAT TRIUMPH

UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN SYDNEY, PARRAMATTA

FRIDAY, 17 JULY 2015

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In politics, it is said that hope will inevitably be vanquished by fear.

However I remain an optimist.

This country is crying out for hope to triumph over fear.

A Well-Furnished Future

Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne

Friday, 10 July 2015

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THE COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE CONFERENCE – AUSTRALIA 2040

RYDGES CAPITAL HILL, CANBERRA

WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY 2015

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It’s a great pleasure to be here today to celebrate with you 25 years of the CRC program, and to talk about the future of the program and Australia’s national innovation system.

I don’t need to tell you about the achievements of the CRC program.

If you didn’t know before you came to this conference about long wear contact lenses, the 3D printed jet engine, tooth mousse or Australian innovation in monitoring the stability of a longwall mine face – you know about them now.