Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

No. It's usually the role of some of the characters over there to impugn the independence of the CSIRO, and it's less usual for that to happen from you, Senator. On reflection, I don't think impugning the independence of the CSIRO is in the interests of that organisation. They were engaged some years ago to review third-party methodology for monitoring fugitive methane emissions at the Darwin export hub. As part of that project, the CSIRO did not undertake any direct monitoring at the site. That is the extent of their engagement with these issues.

I think it's important not to carelessly impugn the independence of that organisation. It's an important organisation for the country. Research and engagement in the energy sector, including the gas sector, actually are in the national interest.