2026-05-20
The Greens call on Labor to immediately respond to reports that the CSIRO will tomorrow sack a third of the team working on Australia’s national climate model.
Lines attributable to Greens spokesperson for science, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:
“Scientists have made a dire warning that Labor’s cuts to the CSIRO mean Australia will no longer be able to submit climate projections to form part of global reports – including the IPCC.
“These projections are relied on by governments, industry and farmers to manage critical risks including to our national security, and losing them will significantly reduce Australia’s sovereign capability to protect the country’s interests.
“A Senate inquiry into the CSIRO’s funding and resourcing was told by the organisation’s management in February that the impact of the cuts would be minimal – what’s changed? Did the CSIRO management mislead the Senate inquiry?
“Minister Tim Ayres' silence in response to questions about cuts to climate modelling capacity is cowardly.
“Climate modelling is critical to each and every Australian. Now is the time in history to increase our capacity in environmental research – not withdraw from it.”
Lines attributable to Greens spokesperson for finance, public sector, workplace relations and employment, Senator Barbara Pocock:
“Australia’s climate science capability is both globally significant and locally irreplaceable.
“Gutting CSIRO is part of a broader process by successive Labor and Coalition Governments to weaken Australia’s public sector.
“This is about choices and the Labor Government is choosing to subsidise fossil fuel companies in the midst of a climate crisis over ensuring our nation’s resilience and sovereign capability through essential climate science.
“This is a shameful way to treat our hardworking, passionate scientists who dedicate their lives to trying to solve the climate crisis.
“This Government must urgently reverse all funding and staffing cuts, commit to increased and ongoing funding for public good science, and urgently establish an audit of CSIRO facilities to ensure its sustainability and viability.”