Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The CSIRO is our country's national science agency. For more than a hundred years, its goal has been to improve the lives of people everywhere through science. Its scientists and researchers are looking at the big issues, like climate change and AI. They're behind amazing innovations, and many of which have become part of our everyday lives. The CSIRO invented fast wi-fi, plastic banknotes, long-wearing contact lenses, low-gluten barley, Aerogard—which is incredibly important this summer—the Hendra virus vaccine, the popular Total Wellbeing Diet and so much more. But now this important organisation is facing job cuts—350 scientists and researchers are about to lose their jobs. More than 800 support staff have already gone in this past year. The jewel in our science crown is being forced to make tough decisions because the federal government funding has not kept up with the reality of rising costs.

Where will these cuts come from? All across the country, in areas such as mineral resources, agriculture and food, health and biosecurity, and the environment. This is not a time to skimp on science. We need scientists, we need research and we need them here in Australia. It's so important that we have sovereign capabilities. If we lose those incredibly skilled people overseas, we won't get them back. Not only will we lose their experience but their breakthroughs as well.

While this funding shortage for research and development is at a critical juncture, our young people are still being encouraged to go into STEM degrees. What's the future for them? Why would they go into science, if there are no opportunities? Where will Australia find its future science leaders, its future researchers? And what will happen to the potential life-changing discoveries and breakthroughs?

These CSIRO cuts are the tip of the iceberg. Australia's investment in research and development has been steadily declining for the last 15 years. It's now just 1.68 per cent of GDP. That's well below the OECD average and well below what we need for our country's future. So what can we do? Well, for a start, we need to put on hold the predicted 350 cut of scientists and researchers. That will require a $75 million investment by government. In the longer term, we need to make research and development a priority by boosting our investment to around three per cent of GDP. That investment needs to be long-term and sustainable. If we don't invest in research and development, we don't innovate. We'll lose our best people, we'll lose our brightest minds, and our best ideas will all go overseas. And where would that leave us as a nation? I implore the government to look at this issue carefully. It's just a nonsensical, short-sighted decision.