Papers presented to Senate Estimates have revealed that Malcolm Turnbulls job cuts to CSIRO climate research will focus on the CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Centre in Aspendale, after the CSIRO was directed to minimise impacts on Hobart to avoid a regional political issue.
The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP
Shadow Attorney General
Shadow Minister for the Arts
Federal Member for Isaacs
MALCOLM TURNBULL SELLS OUT ASPENDALE CSIRO
Papers presented to Senate Estimates have revealed that Malcolm Turnbulls job cuts to CSIRO climate research will focus on the CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Centre in Aspendale, after the CSIRO was directed to minimise impacts on Hobart to avoid a regional political issue.
Mr Turnbull is directly targeting the Isaacs electorate. The two major climate research centres in Southern Australia are in Aspendale and in Tasmania. Papers presented to Senate Estimates show that the CSIRO has been directed to minimise Mr Turnbulls cuts to the CSIRO in Tasmania to avoid a political issue in a politically marginal state. The consequence of this is that Mr Turnbulls cuts are now unfairly focussed on the CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Centre in Aspendale, Mr Dreyfus said.
This is politicking of the most sickening nature. Mr Turnbull is playing with the jobs of CSIRO researchers in Isaacs to minimise political damage in Tasmania.
Peoples livelihoods are at stake here and Mr Turnbull is callously thinking about politics.
This is not a time to mince words: Mr Turnbull has sold out Melbournes South-East. He has cut national funding to the CSIRO and then focussed these cuts on our community. Mr Turnbulls cuts are a disgrace and every member of our community will feel the direct or indirect shock of these cuts, and every person has every right to feel outraged at Mr Turnbulls games.
Mr Turnbull talks about innovation. He talks about creating an agile economy, but everything the Liberals have done over the past two and a half years, from cutting funding to the automotive manufacturing sector, to focussing CSIRO cuts on our community, to cutting funding for local schools and hospitals, has hurt our community.
Mr Turnbull is a wolf in sheeps clothing when it comes to science and innovation. If he really believes that his cuts to the CSIRO are the best outcome for the Australian community and for the community of Isaacs, I call on him to take these cuts to the election and let the Australian people decide, Mr Dreyfus said.
FRIDAY 8 APRIL 2016
