Grapping with long-term financial challenges, the national science agency CSIRO has announced it will slash up to 350 jobs.
Citing the reason for taking the decision, the national science agency said that the current funding is failing to keep pace with the rising costs of running a modern science agency.
Confirming the developments, CSIRO Chief Executive Doug Hilton said the organisation would axe between 300 and 350 full-time equivalent roles across its research units.
Among other things, CSIRO said that in its 18-month review of its research portfolio, they found that the body needed a sharper focus on areas like climate resilience, clean energy, and advanced technologies.
Elaborating more on the issue, CSIRO spokesperson said that they are mulking to de-prioritise other activities, in area where the CSIRO lacks the scale to make a significant impact.
The CSIRO also added that they will make the job cuts from across the country. In the past 18 months, CSIRO has cut over 800 positions.
Not Happy With The Decision:
Slamming the decision, the CSIRO Staff Association described is as a ‘very sad day’. Releasing a statement, CSIRO Staff Association secretary Susan Tonks said, “These are some of the worst cuts the CSIRO has ever seen, and they’re coming at a time when we should be investing in and building up public science.
Susan added, “The Albanese Labor government needs to fix this mess by committing to urgent funding that halts the cuts and secures the future of CSIRO’s world-leading science and research.”
As per the details, CSIRO employs more than 5,800 people across Australia.
Others Comment:
Federal Science Minister Tim Ayres said the decision would be difficult for CSIRO staff.
ACT Senator David Pocock was disappointed that the government had not provided the funding to the national science agency.
He added that the government must invest in the people doing the science if they are serious about meeting the huge challenges in the future.
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