Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader and Climate Change spokesperson
With the Turnbull Government axing potentially more than 100 Tasmanian CSIRO jobs, it's reasonable to ask whether the Premier is doing anything to stand up for local scientists and protect Tasmania's reputation as a global climate science hub.
The marine and atmospheric science division of CSIRO in Hobart is set to shed some of the world's most respected scientific minds and yet we haven't heard a squeak of protest from the Premier or his Liberal colleagues.
These Hobart-based scientists and researchers make a very significant contribution to the global understanding of climate change and to Tasmania's brand.
With bushfires still burning our wilderness, prolonged drying of landscapes and rising sea levels already having an impact on Tasmania, the lack of political action to prevent the loss of this scientific capacity is staggering.
If the Premier took a strong stance to protect the CSIRO jobs, it might make a difference with his Liberal colleagues and save these jobs.
We're at risk of suffering a massive brain drain from the State. This is a double blow after the loss of more than 30 CSIRO Hobart jobs under the Abbott Government.
Having copped cuts once at Tasmania's expense, what is the State government doing this time to prevent such a profound loss of talent and capacity from Tasmania?