UPDATE: The Albanese government has just announced a critical funding boost of over $100 million for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), aimed at addressing urgent infrastructure and operational needs. This announcement comes as the agency faces the prospect of cutting up to 350 research jobs due to budget constraints.
The mid-year budget update, set to be released next month, reveals the government’s commitment to supporting CSIRO amid rising operating costs that have significantly outpaced revenue. Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated on Wednesday that the government has been providing “substantial” and “stable” funding, but acknowledged that the agency’s financial challenges have persisted for some time.
Doug Hilton, CEO of CSIRO, emphasized the severity of the situation, revealing a staggering $280 million backlog in repairs and maintenance. He pointed out that over 80 percent of CSIRO’s 840 buildings are already “past their technical end of life,” with one critical facility—the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong—requiring nearly $1 billion in repairs alone.
The funding increase is pivotal, as the agency estimates it will need between $80 million and $135 million annually over the next decade for necessary maintenance and equipment upgrades, including enhanced cybersecurity measures.
Independent Senator David Pocock has been vocal about the urgent need for long-term funding, stating, “Years of delayed investment are now catching up with us, and the cost is not just financial, it’s human.” He launched a petition on Tuesday advocating for a significant funding increase, reflecting widespread concern from both staff and the ACT community regarding the recent job cuts.
Labor backbencher and former science minister Ed Husic echoed these sentiments, urging the government to “pry open the jaws of Treasury” to secure more resources for CSIRO. He highlighted the long-term decline in federal funding, which has dropped to less than half of what it was per person in the 1980s.
A spokesperson for Science Minister Tim Ayes reinforced the government’s commitment, stating they want to ensure CSIRO staff operate in safe and technologically advanced facilities. However, they also noted that CSIRO, as an independent agency, makes its own decisions regarding resource allocation.
Opposition spokesperson Alex Hawke raised concerns over the potential impact of job cuts on Australia’s sovereign capabilities, attributing the financial strain to “Labor’s cuts” over the years.
As the situation develops, stakeholders are closely monitoring the implications of this funding increase on CSIRO’s workforce and operational capabilities. With the budget update approaching, the urgency for adequate funding to support Australia’s leading scientific institution has never been more critical.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds.
