The Age reminds us about science and the public good

An important question Australians will need to consider when weighing the benefits of government-initiated cost cuts is how they affect institutions such as the nation's pre-eminent taxpayer-funded scientific organisation, the CSIRO.

Can it continue to pursue the kind of diligent science that is in the public interest and furthers the public good? Or will that be sacrificed as the organisation swings its research to focus on science that offers more lucrative outcomes?

These are vital issues because the swingeing cost cuts proposed at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Organisation, which will lead to the loss of about 350 jobs at the CSIRO, including as many as 100 roles in the area of climate science, may prove irreversible

Read today’s Editorial in the Melbourne Age - “Science cannot afford cuts to the CSIRO.”