Karen Andrews has retained the science and industry portfolio – including responsibility for CSIRO – in a new look Morrison ministry following the Coalition’s recent federal election victory.

An engineering graduate, Ms Andrews has represented the research portfolio throughout her career in junior positions before being first appointed Minister for Industry, Science and Technology in August 2018.

“I will continue to work to strengthen Australian industries so they can drive our nation’s economic growth and create more jobs, and I will ensure this country’s science and technology sectors continue to thrive and position Australia at the forefront of new developments in these fields,” Minister Andrews said.

“The Liberal National Government recognises the value of science to Australia’s future jobs and prosperity and we have demonstrated this through our investment into our science agencies – like CSIRO, AIMS, and ANSTO – and the innovative work they do.”

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Funding for CSIRO research in the coming financial year and mounting challenges to science integrity will feature in discussions at CSIRO Consultative Council, scheduled for the third week of June.

Traditionally held biannually, meetings of the Consultative Council provide a formal opportunity for representatives of CSIRO management and staff to discuss a range of issues relating to the operation and strategy of the organisation.

Established by the legislation that governs CSIRO – The Science and Industry Research Act – the functions of the Council ‘are to consider, and to report to the Board on, any matter affecting, or of general interest to, the officers of the Organisation, including any such matter that is referred to the Council by the Board.’

Staff Association Secretary Sam Popovski said that CSIRO funding and science integrity would form a key focus for discussion.

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Many staff in CSIRO have been talking about the next enterprise bargaining process.

Here’s a concise FAQ on what we know so far.

When does the current Enterprise Agreement expire?

14 November 2020 (about 18 months from now). The Staff Association’s goal is to have a new agreement negotiated well before this date.

Are there more pay rises to come?

No. The third and last pay rise (1.5%) of the current Agreement has been paid to all staff in the last pay period of May this year.

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