The Greens implore the Albanese government to commit funding to the CSIRO to avoid hundreds of job cuts across Australia's leading scientific research organisation.
As stated by Greens spokesperson for Science, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:
"At a time when it has never been more important for governments to invest in science and research, it is shameful that our nation's premier science and research organisation is cutting hundreds of jobs to make ends meet.
"It's critical that Minister Tim Ayres does not pass the buck on this. With MYEFO just around the corner and Senate Estimates only a few weeks away, the Minister must explain how the CSIRO has ended up cutting hundreds of jobs in order to find cost savings.
"This Government can find billions for controversial nuclear submarines and subsidising big mining companies so why hasn't it already committed to fixing funding gaps at our nation's premier science, industry, and research organisation?
"The Tasmanian community, economy and its reputation is particularly vulnerable to CSIRO job cuts given the number of scientists employed in the state - especially ocean and climate researchers.
"Australian scientists are already warning of a crisis in Antarctic research due to the impact of an impending funding cliff. It's time for the Albanese government to remove the uncertainty, protect jobs and increase funding to science.
"The Greens have written to Minister Ayres to seek an urgent briefing on this critical matter."
