Hundreds more jobs could be axed at Australia’s national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), raising alarms about the country's diminishing research capabilities. This comes at a time when the Trump administration is also making significant cuts to science agencies in the US, potentially affecting global advancements in health, climate science, and weather forecasting.
The Impact of Job Cuts
Following 440 positions being cut last financial year, and another 300 in 2016 under the Coalition government, the latest reductions primarily target the CSIRO’s agriculture and food research unit, with additional cuts in health and safety, IT, and business development. Staff are expected to be informed about these changes by October.
Government's Role and Response
The Community and Public Sector Union has criticized these cuts, stating they contradict the Albanese government’s commitment to boosting economic productivity. Susan Tonks, the union’s CSIRO spokesperson, highlighted a "clear disconnect" between the government's promises and its actions, urging increased investment in the CSIRO to safeguard Australia's innovation and competitiveness.
Financial Sustainability vs. Research Capability
A CSIRO spokesperson mentioned the agency is "reshaping its research portfolio" to ensure financial sustainability, partly due to the end of Covid-19 "safety net" funding. However, experts like David Karoly, a University of Melbourne emeritus professor, argue that Australia's lower levels of industry funding in research compared to other countries exacerbate the problem, questioning the nation's commitment to supporting essential research infrastructure.
Looking Ahead
The May federal budget indicated a reduction of 450 CSIRO staff, from 5,945 in 2024-25 to 5,495 this financial year. With the union describing these as the worst cuts since 2014, the future of Australia's scientific research and its global standing hangs in the balance.
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