Greg Hunt band-aid on CSIRO climate science wound
The Greens today said new Science Minister Greg Hunt's moves on climate science in the CSIRO are more gesture than substance and won't restore the climate science jobs and capabilities that have been cut by CSIRO management.
"Greg Hunt says he's restoring climate science, but he's just using a band-aid to cover a bleeding wound inflicted by the government," Greens Science spokesperson Adam Bandt MP said.
"By funding less than half of the jobs in climate science cut by CSIRO management, it seems Greg Hunt is more interested in gesture than substance."
"Putting back 15 of the jobs cut under this Government is a start, but if Greg Hunt were serious he'd reverse the funding cuts in full."
Greens Deputy Leader Senator Larissa Waters said: “While we welcome the new Minister partially restoring the climate role of CSIRO, the Prime Minister needs to break his silence on this issue by taking on the climate deniers in his party and publicly backing the climate science role of CSIRO.”
“The Prime Minister should have intervened months ago to save CSIRO from reputational damage and he should now overturn the CSIRO funding cuts and restore the remaining climate jobs cut in February.”
“Climate science is essential to our efforts to avert catastrophic climate change and to adapt to existing climate impacts.”
“Mr Marshall’s complete disrespect for climate science makes it clear that he needs to go and we’re calling for the board not to renew his tenure.”
Media contacts:
Adam Bandt - Adam Pulford, 0429 109 054
Larissa Waters - Monique Vandeleur, 0419 588 430