The CSIRO will split its climate science into two, creating a special unit based in Hobart but leaving in doubt the future of at least 50 climate researchers.
A new CSIRO Climate Science Centre, foreshadowed by Fairfax Media, will coordinate the work of 40 scientists carved out of existing CSIRO teams, and also tap into work by the Bureau of Meteorology and universities.
However, a separate email sent to staff on Tuesday morning shows the Oceans and Atmosphere division which houses the main climate modelling and monitoring units will still shed about 75 of its 140 staff.
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| All at sea?: Australia's marine science flagship, RV Investigator. Photo: CSIRO |
"To achieve this change, we won't be able to make as many new recruitments in the areas as previously planned," Dr Marshall said."Our goal is still for our staffing numbers to return to the current level, but it will take us longer to achieve."
The staff reductions now planned are in Minerals (about 35), Land and Water (about 70), Agriculture (about 30), Manufacturing (about 45), Oceans and Atmosphere (about 75) and Food & Nutrition (about 20), the email to staff said.
While the CSIRO described the new climate science centre as a "win", the reaction from within was dismissive.
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| CSIRO boss Larry Marshall hopes the new centre will resolve ongoing concerns about climate science's home within the agency. Photo: Daniel Munoz |
CSIRO and the Turnbull government have been under pressure since early February to explain why the science agency was planning to cull as many as 110 of its 140 staff within the Oceans & Atmosphere division.
The cuts, which have been pared back after complaints from partner agencies, were part of a plan by Dr Marshall to shed 350 jobs and re-hire a similar number of two years in areas deemed to be more promising for external revenue.
Environment Minister Greg Hunt said CSIRO was an independent agency but added that the government and Chief Scientist Alan Finkel had to intervene "to help broker" a resolution.
"From what was frankly a difficult situation, we worked to engage with the organisation and, I think, to get the longest, deepest national climate program that Australia has ever had," Mr Hunt told ABC Radio.
Labor's shadow industry minister Kim Carr said the new centre appears to be aimed at heading off another damning senate committee hearing on Wednesday.
Dr Marshall was due to attend, along with three other executives, but chairman David Thodey was also due to make his first appearance. Mr Thodey has asked for his evidence to be made in camera and without accompaniment from CSIRO management, Fairfax Media understands.
"The only thing scientific about the new centre is political science," Senator Carr said. "It's been cobbled together as a means to save marginal seats [in Tasmania]. I call on the government to halt the job cuts to CSIRO pending the election."
Dr Marshall said Tuesday's announcement was "a culmination of the ongoing consultation and feedback we've had from our staff and stakeholders, and this new Centre is a reflection of the strong collaboration and support right across our system and the global community".
The response to the original plan to gut climate science at the agency drew criticism from more than 3000 scientists internationally.
The urgency of understanding how fast the climate is changing has been fuelled by record global heat so far in 2016 as the ebbing giant El Nino event in the Pacific adds to the background warming.
Links
- How the original cuts were reported
- CSIRO eyes alternative plan to climate job cuts as Chairman Thodey faces inquiry
- No 'Science For Science Sake': Emails Show CSIRO Plans To Cut Climate Research
- Cutting The Public Good Out Of CSIRO: We All Lose
- New CSIRO Document Reveals Scale Of Planned Cuts To Climate Programs
- Mary Robinson Joins Chorus Against CSIRO Cuts, Says Climate Science 'Imperative, Not Luxury'
- Why Malcolm Turnbull Should Reverse The Destructive, Clumsy And Dumb CSIRO Cuts
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