Save CSIRO rally Melbourne

April 8, 2016
Issue 

About 500 people rallied in Melbourne on April 2 against the proposed 1300 jobs cuts at the CSIRO.

The rally, which follows rallies in Hobart and Canberra, was organised by the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), CSIRO Staff Association and Australian Youth Climate Coalition.

Malcolm Turnbull and his ministers are raiding CSIRO of the funding it needs to continue critical research, with their latest attack on climate science and environmental research compounding the damage already done to public science.

Former actor and Research Australia advocate of the year, Samuel Johnson told the rally: "We live in a country where climate change is considered controversial, contrary to accepted wisdom everywhere. The government is attacking science when we need it most. It stinks! This government is attacking women, refugees, LGBTI people and now our innovators!"

CPSU assistant national secretary Michael Tull said: "What we do is investigate exposure to urban air pollution such as in Morwell after the Hazelwood mine fire. We want to make the world a better place and protect people from dangers. It is important the government does this because industry does not always have people's best interests at heart."

Amelia Telford from Seed Indigenous Environment Network said: "We were the first environmentalists and looked after this land for thousands of years. We can't afford to let the government continue business as usual. We are living in a time where the future of humanity is threatened."

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