One Quarter Of Australia's Gov Scientists Will Lose Jobs Under New Conservative Government Plan

[hatrack]

Almost a quarter of scientists, researchers and workers at Australia's premier science institution will lose their jobs under the federal government's present public service jobs freeze. The blanket staff freeze across the public service threatens the jobs of 1400 "non-ongoing" workers at the CSIRO and could paralyse some of the organisation's premier research projects, with a ban on hiring, extending or renewing short-term contracts effective immediately.

EDIT

Staff were told last week of the decision, which will hit the organisation's 11 research divisions and 11 national research flagships, as well as critical support for frontline scientists.

In an email to staff, CSIRO chief executive Megan Clarke said: "I announce an immediate recruitment freeze covering the following: External recruitment; and, entering into any new, or extending existing term or contract employment arrangements." Catriona Jackson, the chief executive of Science and Technology Australia, the peak lobby for the nation's scientists, said she was "concerned that cuts to the public service may fall disproportionately on scientists".

West Australian federal Liberal Dennis Jensen, himself a former research scientist at CSIRO, said the suggestion that the government had an anti-science bias was incorrect. But he admitted the failure to have a dedicated science minister worried him.

Ed. - emphasis added.

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/razor-taken-to-csiro-20131107-2x4fu.html

[Ilsa]

1. Last I heard,

A lot of scientists and new grads are having to leave the US because our con govt won't fund research. Doesn't surprise me that Australia is having same issues.