Greens commend Hobart scientists’ protest
Australian Greens Leader and Tasmanian Senator Christine Milne says she firmly supports CSIRO workers who are stopping work today to protest job cuts in the Abbott government's brutal budget.
"It's no wonder Australia's scientists are up in arms and I'm glad that here in Hobart that they're prepared to speak out against this backward attack from a backward government on the research that's helping Australia address 21st Century challenges," Senator Milne said.
"I think all Tasmanians will be disgusted that just as our state is really establishing its global reputation in science, research and innovation, we've got a government coming in to slash the budgets.
"We have a hub of nearly 1000 scientists in Hobart and it is a terrible thing for Tasmania to have jobs cut at the CSIRO and the Antarctic Division.
"Our fantastic research institutions and our proximity to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean present a huge opportunity to Tasmania for jobs, investment and our move to a clean, green and clever future.
"How will we attract China and other countries to make Hobart the base for their Antarctic science research and other activities if our support for quality of science is slashed?
"It is a really backward step from the Prime Minister to take money out of science and research at a time when it's so critical, not only for the future of the planet in terms of climate research, but for the transition of Tasmania and the kinds of jobs we can have here," said Senator Milne.
"Just this month the CSIRO chief Dr Megan Clark told Parliament that they've been actively working to build Hobart as one of the largest concentrations of marine and atmospheric research in the Southern Hemisphere. Now Tony Abbott is trying to tear it down and that's not acceptable.
"Tony Abbott's attack on science is part of his ideological agenda to protect the profits of his mates in the polluting fossil fuels sector - making sure Australia rejects innovation and technology to combat climate change, to keep doing things the way they've always been done."