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

My question is to the Prime Minister. The CSIRO has recently announced that 350 science and research jobs will go, and this is on top of the 800-plus CSIRO support roles that have already been cut this year. This is due to government funding not keeping up with costs. Will the government immediately invest the $75 million needed to stop the loss of these important jobs in science and research?

Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for her very important question. As she knows, the CSIRO is an asset to our nation and all Australians should be proud of it. We all want a strong and sustainable CSIRO that's aligned with our national science priorities. That is in the national interest. There has been a decision, taken by the government through the MYEFO process, to provide additional funding for the CSIRO, the details of which will be communicated to the public at the appropriate time. The CSIRO continues to receive significant base funding of close to a billion dollars per annum from the government, and I assure the member that this hasn't changed. Decisions on staffing and the prioritisation of resources are a matter for the CSIRO's board and management, and the government respects the CSIRO's operational independence. Ultimately, their aim—like ours—is for the CSIRO to remain strong and sustainable over the long-term. We take this seriously, as I know the member does, because we all value the contribution that CSIRO scientists make to the nation. We want the CSIRO's research facilities to be safe, fit for purpose and capable of securing Australia's critical scientific capabilities.