Friends of CSIRO

In response to the recent threats to public good research in CSIRO, a Friends of CSIRO organisation has been set up with nodes in a number of states and Territories. Like the friends of the ABC, their role is to defend the public good and socially beneficial aspects of publicly-funded scientific research.

They have a Facebook page, so get over there and like that, and they have a web page, so get over there, have a look, join up and donate.

While you’re at it, the CSIRO Staff Association has published a whole heap on resources into their campaign to preserve those jobs including the so-called ‘deep dive’ exercise and job cuts including private emails that were intended to keep the whole process opaque.

Friends of CSIRO was formed around mid-March 2016 to oppose the job and funding cuts which CSIRO has been subject to in recent years.  It has members in Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney and Hobart and intends to campaign in the coming election particularly in marginal electorates. We welcome contact from people in other cities – join us and support CSIRO as a research organisation with international quality researchers and one which is enabled to undertake long-term public good research.

ACTIVITIES

Friends of CSIRO has held forums in Canberra, today (Tuesday 24 May at 1-2pm) held one in Hobart at AMIS at Salamanca, and is soon to hold one in Melbourne and Sydney. Sign on to our mailing list to find out more.

Friends of CSIRO has asked the Liberal, Labor, National and Greens parties, as well as independent Senators and members to commit to opposing or reversing the staffing and funding cuts to CSIRO. We will report on the responses to this survey.

We will be campaigning in selected marginal seats to inform voters of the destructive attacks on public good research being instituted through the current job cuts.  We will also inform voters of the results of the survey.

Meanwhile Christopher Pyne on qanda last night (image swiped from a Dave Pope cartoon)