1100 jobs cuts in the last 12 months and counting...

Australia’s future has always been built on bold ideas, scientific excellence and a willingness to tackle the challenges that others find too big, too complex or too far away.

At the heart of that tradition stands the CSIRO — a national treasure whose work underpins our health, environment, agriculture, industry and long-term prosperity.

But the proposed cuts of 350 more jobs announced today threaten the very institution that has helped Australia punch far above its weight in science. 

These cuts - more significant than former Prime Minter Tony Abbott's - are reversible.

At a time when other nations are increasing their investment in research and innovation, this government is choosing to shrink ours.

We are calling on the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Minister for Industry and InnovationTim Ayres  to rethink, reverse and repair this decision before the damage becomes irreversible.

The CSIRO is not a luxury. It is the engine room of our national capability. From Wi-Fi to polymer banknotes, from bushfire modelling to vaccine development, from drought-resistant crops to marine science, its breakthroughs change lives, protect our communities and create industries and jobs.

Cutting CSIRO funding means cutting our ability to respond to climate change, pandemics, emerging technologies, food security and natural disasters. It means fewer researchers, slower progress and missed opportunities at a time when Australia needs more science, not less.

It’s deeply disappointing that the Prime Minister and the Science Minister — leaders who should be championing evidence-based policy — are instead presiding over cuts that run directly against Australia’s long-term interests.

That’s why Australians everywhere — citizens, scientists, teachers, parents, industry leaders and anyone who believes in a strong, future-focused nation — are urged to add their name to this petition demanding that the Federal Government protect and strengthen CSIRO funding.

Your signature is a simple act with real impact. Stand up for science. Stand up for Australia’s future. 

Sign the petition today.