FLINDERS MP Greg Hunt has pushed the case for Melbourne’s south east suburbs to remain key to climate research to complement a new Climate Science Centre in Hobart announced by the CSIRO last month.
The new Hobart hub has put the future of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s Aspendale laboratories in doubt amid accusations the decision to favour Tasmania over Victoria is “a political fix to protect marginal seats” (‘Science jobs face axe’, The News 27/4/16).
Liberal Environmental Minister Mr Hunt told the ABC he and Industry, Innovation and Science Minister Christopher Pyne had intervened to try to limit CSIRO job losses.
A spokeswoman for Mr Hunt said the Environment Minister had discussed jobs at the Aspendale laboratories behind the scenes.
“While CSIRO is an independent organisation and has made its own decisions, Minister Hunt has argued strongly for the continuation of scientific support and staff at Aspendale,” Mr Hunt’s electorate communications officer Samantha Robin said.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 4 May 2016
