Senate debates Questions without Notice
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science
2:10 pm
My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator Sinodinos. Mr Pyne issued a media release today celebrating 100 years of CSIRO. Does the government believe that cutting 100 climate science jobs is the best way to celebrate 100 years of Australian science?
Stephen Parry President
Senator Cameron, you have been vocal on every question so far.
Arthur Sinodinos NSW, Liberal Party, Cabinet Secretary
I welcome the honourable senator's question. There is much to celebrate in this 100 years of CSIRO, a great Australian institution. CSIRO was established because there were industries in Australia that could not afford to do their own research, particularly in areas like agriculture, mining and manufacturing. What CSIRO did, was to bring government together in partnership with those industries to create world-leading innovations. We have seen this with things like the wi-fi and the other great inventions and innovations CSIRO has been involved in.
To celebrate 100 years of CSIRO—I am coming to the crux—we have provided a record $3.1 billion for funding over the forward estimates. Where were you when the former government was slashing $82.9 million from CSIRO and cutting $2.5 million from ANSTO, building the RV investigator but not providing any money so it can operate. You cut 400 staff from CSIRO. Where were you when you were needed? You were missing in action.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
Stephen Parry President
Order! On my left. Cabinet Secretary, have you concluded your answer?
Arthur Sinodinos NSW, Liberal Party, Cabinet Secretary
Yes, Mr President.
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science
2:12 pm
Mr President, I rise to ask a supplementary question. Is the minister aware of yesterday's comments by Mary Robinson, the former UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Climate Change? I quote:
There is, however, a need for complementary fundamental climate change research. It's imperative that research funding levels are not just sustained but increased.
Will the Turnbull government reverse its plan to halve CSIRO's climate science capacity or is a commitment to science innovation just another case of saying one thing and doing another? (Time expired)
Arthur Sinodinos NSW, Liberal Party, Cabinet Secretary
2:13 pm
Again, I welcome the question. Mary Robinson is right and the Turnbull government is right. We are getting on with mitigating and adapting to climate change. We are not just worrying about the science. We are doing something about it, and different countries have different sets of policies to meet the commonly accepted set of goals that were set in Paris.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Mr President, on a point of order: relevance. The minister was asked about climate change research. He is talking about emissions reductions. They are different things. I would ask him to return to the question.
Stephen Parry President
Senator Wong, he was asked about comments of Mary Robinson and the Turnbull government's position and he answered that first up. That is my understanding. I will call the minister.
Arthur Sinodinos NSW, Liberal Party, Cabinet Secretary
This typifies the difference between these sides of politics. They worry about process and we worry about outcomes. I was talking about outcomes, getting results, and policies in place. That is what this policy is all about.
Opposition senators interjecting—
Stephen Parry President
On my left! You have a senator on his feet waiting to ask a question.
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science
2:14 pm
Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. I refer to evidence that CSIRO failed to consult any of its partner agencies or a single university before cutting 100 climate science jobs. In light of this, does the minister agree that climate change modelling and research can simply transition to another body? Was the minister misled by the 1 February CSIRO briefing to the minister proposing such cuts?
Arthur Sinodinos NSW, Liberal Party, Cabinet Secretary
2:15 pm
Mr President, in relation to the briefing of 1 February, is he referring to this minister or to the minister?
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science
To Minister Pyne. Minister Pyne—you represent him!
Arthur Sinodinos NSW, Liberal Party, Cabinet Secretary
Yes. But I was not present at any briefing on 1 February.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Mr President, I rise on a point of order.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
The minister should take the question on notice. If questions in a representative capacity can simply be dismissed on the basis that the minister was not at a meeting then it really makes a mockery of question time. He should take it on notice.
Stephen Parry President
The Cabinet Secretary has heard your point of order, Senator Wong, and I will leave it up to the Cabinet Secretary.
Arthur Sinodinos NSW, Liberal Party, Cabinet Secretary
I am happy to take it on notice. I was just simply making the point that I was not there.