Senator Kim Carr

New analysis shows that almost 1,700 Australian scientists and researchers have lost their jobs as a result of the Abbott/Turnbull Liberals war on science since 2013.

Analysis of the annual reports of government bodies including the Bureau of Meteorology, the CSIRO, the Australian Research Council, Geoscience Australia, and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation reveals that employment in Australia’s major science and research agencies is 15 per cent lower than in 2013. 

These job losses are a direct result of the Abbott/Turnbull Government’s horror 2014 Budget which cut $3 billion from science, research and innovation programs. The Turnbull Government’s much heralded, but insipid National Innovation and Science Agenda has done nothing to stem this brain drain.

It is the Liberals ideological mantra that has put the capabilities and reputation of our research agencies at risk.

For over three years our science agencies have been asked to do more with less and now we are seeing the consequences for the ability of the nation to build its scientific capabilities.    

The Liberal’s cuts to personnel and operating budgets is having a direct impact on the Australian economy with less scientists and researchers available to work with firms helping them innovate and diversify. 

It is the Turnbull Liberals who are responsible for starting Australia’s largest brain drain, depriving Australia of critical talent. 

a - 2013 AIATSIS FTE interpreted using other reported statistics                                                        

b – NICTA reports on a calendar year basis, these numbers are from 31 December 2013

c – Estimate only. AAD is not a separate entity from the Department of Environment; this is the number of FTE assigned to the Department’s Antarctic outcome.