Australian research giant the CSIRO has been forced to slash about 100 jobs and close two laboratories after large funding cuts in last week's federal budget.
The announcement, made yesterday, will result in the closure of a horticultural research laboratory near Mildura, with the loss of up to 30 jobs, and a beef research laboratory at Rockhampton. Some staff from the Victorian laboratory will be moved to Adelaide.
The move was denounced by the CSIRO Staff Association, which said work at the two laboratories contributed to Australia's food quality and security.
The Federal Opposition was also scathing, with Senator Eric Abetz accusing the Government of breaking a promise.
"Labor promised to revitalise the CSIRO, but have done the complete opposite," he said.
Senator Abetz asked how many more jobs and CSIRO laboratories would have to go because of the budget cuts.
The CSIRO's budget was effectively cut by $63.4 million over four years. Science and Research Minister Kim Carr said the Government had to take "tough decisions" in the budget as part of its "war on inflation".
He described the CSIRO as "a great Australian institution" and said the Government had boosted its funding in areas such as researching "clean coal", but difficult choices had to be made.
CSIRO chief executive Dr Geoff Garrett conceded the cuts would have an "adverse impact on research", but said the organisation was moving funding away from "incremental research" in food production and supply. Instead, the CSIRO would boost its investment in areas including energy, water and climate.
But the president of the CSIRO Staff Association, Dr Michael Borgas, said closing its laboratory at Merbein near Mildura would hurt the local horticultural industry.
Dr Borgas said that among the significant research at Merbein had been work on dried fruit. Virtually the entire Australian dried-grape industry relied on CSIRO clones and varieties, he said.
Research on light mechanical pruning at Merbein had helped the wine industry reduce costs while retaining and improving yield and quality.
Dr Borgas described the closures as "lazy, knee-jerk management" and attacked the budget cuts.
"If Australia is to meet the many challenges we face in relation to global warming, water and food security and quality, we should be boosting — not cutting — support for the CSIRO," he said.
Dr Garrett said the number of operating divisions at the CSIRO would also be reduced by two through divisional mergers and other measures.
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