Scientists to use conference to make CSIRO plea

Malcolm Turnbull - 'blindsided' on CSIRO plans.

Leading scientists will use a national conference on Monday to appeal to the Turnbull government to intervene to reverse plans by the CSIRO to eliminate most of its climate roles amid claims the Prime Minister was "blindsided" by the move.

The cuts, that will cleave about 110 positions from the CSIRO's 140-odd strong Ocean and Atmosphere staff and a similar number from its Land and Water division, were announced in an email from chief executive Larry Marshall on Thursday.

Mr Turnbull and his staff "didn't see it coming", a senior CSIRO researcher has been told. The PM "blanched" when given a copy of the news of the cuts, and asked his staff to investigate, another source tells Fairfax Media.

Read Peter Hannam’s story in The Sydney Morning Herald - “Heat to stay on CSIRO climate cuts amid claims Malcolm Turnbull was 'blindsided'.”