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Australia to backflip on climate science funding after major cuts in February

Xinhua, August 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Australia's newly-appointed science minister has on Thursday ordered a backflip on an earlier government decision to cut funding from the nation's climate research body, announcing a multi-million dollar funding package as well as the creation of 15 new jobs to continue research into climate change.

Jobs and funding for the climate science research sector at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) was slashed by the government in February, but Greg Hunt has flagged a major change of heart, describing climate science as "critical" to the CSIRO and a bedrock for Australian science.

The new climate research strategy is to be devised over the next three months, but is expected to include the creation of 15 new, full-time climate science jobs and research investment worth up to 29 million U.S dollars over the next 10 years.

"I've issued a ministerial directive that we will make climate science a core activity, that we will strengthen and build capacity," Hunt told Fairfax Media.

"This is emphasizing the importance of long-term climate science as a bedrock function of the CSIRO... this is setting the direction for CSIRO for the coming two decades."

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull made the cuts to the CSIRO in February, but only assumed the Prime Ministership from controversial right-wing former PM Tony Abbott in September.

Hunt took over as Minister for Innovation, Industry and Science from Christopher Pyne during the ministerial reshuffle last month, and said the move to bolster the CSIRO's was "no question" a "shared view" from both himself and Turnbull, insinuating the cuts in February were the brainchild of the previous Abbott government.

Hunt has reportedly already met with CSIRO chief scientist met Dr Alan Finkel, CEO Larry Marshall and CSIRO chairman David Thodey to discuss the new direction, jobs and funding.

"(Climate science) will be a priority and the senior executive and the board know this now, clearly," Hunt said.

Finkel said he welcomed the government's investment in the future of climate science, saying Australia needed a "strong climate research capability". Endit