Hobart’s reputation as a hub for world class science is under threat and the Science Minister has been urged to make an emergency visit to prevent loss of jobs and research funds.
Anna Reynolds, Greens candidate for Denisonhas written an open letter to the Federal Science Minister, Chris Evans to set out her concerns – http://tas.greens.org.au/content/letter-science-minister-hobart-science-hub-under-threat
An Open Letter to Senator Chris Evans
Minister for Science and Research
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
2 September 2012
Dear Minister
THREAT TO HOBART’S ROLE AS A SCIENCE HUB
I am writing to express my concern about a number of threats to Hobart’s science institutions that are central to our economy.
Science is integral to Hobart’s economic DNA – we have hundreds of marine and Antarctic scientists working here, and several world-renowned institutions based here. Numerous economic strategies anticipate Hobart as a global hub for Antarctic and Southern Ocean research. But clouds are gathering – a number of our institutions will close unless a new funding stream is secured. Other institutions have had funding cuts and are unable to operate to their full potential. My concerns relate to four institutions:
1. Antarctic, Climate & Ecosystem Cooperative Research Centre (ACE-CRC)
The ACE-CRC has been operating since 1991 but now its future is in doubt – it is likely to close its doors in 18 months. Forty scientists work in Hobart as part of this centre, undertaking research and policy analysis of national and international significance. The Centre operates on a budget of $5 million per year. For the $5 million invested, the Centre has leveraged $90 million of in-kind contributions, including from other country’s science programs.
The work that the Centre is doing is unique in the world – such as ice core analysis, sea ice science, and work to understand changes to ocean currents and acidification. Five of the people working from the Centre are lead authors for the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change.
2. Australian Antarctic Division
The Australian Antarctic Division based in Kingston suffered a $4 million cut in the most recent federal budget and their capacity to undertake marine science will be drastically scaled back over the coming years. I am concerned to hear estimates from the science community that suggest 60 days of marine science work in 2012 will be cut to less than 30 days in 2014 / 15.
3. IMOS (Integrated Marine Observing System)
Australia has the third largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world and the IMOS is an important way for us to understand what’s happening in our marine territory. This program has had a total budget of $104 million from the Australian Government through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy and the Super Science Initiative. It has been led by the University of Tasmania on behalf of the Australian marine and climate science community, but this program will run out of money in June 2013.
4. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research
In the case of the CSIRO, the future of some of the work undertaken in Hobart will depend on the ongoing existence of the Federal Department of Climate Change and its budget for climate science. The science community were aware of plans to cut the Climate Change Science program in the last budget, but it was retained. All of the CSIRO’s ocean acidification work and its work on the role of the Southern Ocean in the global climate system will be lost with the removal of funding from the CRC program.
In mid-2013 the CSIRO in Hobart will take delivery of the new $120 million Southern Surveyor ocean research vessel. Hobart will be the home port of the Australian Government’s only marine research vessel. While the ship is capable of undertaking marine research for 300 days of the year, estimates suggest that there is only sufficient funding to fund about 50 – 60 days of research. Meanwhile a recent call for research applications generated requests for 1300 days of research to be undertaken.
The Greens believe that government investment in science is critical to ensure that our country is equipped to meet the challenges of the future, such as climate change. In Tasmania, there is a bright economic future to be built on our scientific reputation, creative solutions, and smart innovation.
I urge you as Science Minister to make an urgent trip to Hobart to discuss its future as a science hub, and work to restore funding for the important work being undertaken here.
Yours sincerely,
Anna Reynolds
Anna Reynolds
Greens Candidate for Denison
facebook.com/AnnaReynoldsForDenison
[email protected]
ens.org.au
