Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question. These were issues he canvassed at some length in the Senate estimates hearing. My recollection was that the Bureau of Meteorology made very clear that they were ensuring that services would be continued and that there would be a continuation of all bureau offices in regional areas. We on this side are committed to ensuring that the bureau will continue to deliver a high standard of climate monitoring, as well as good value for money on behalf of the community. As the Prime Minister has indicated, the bureau will also continue to provide the meteorological services that it has in the past, including the continuation of all offices in regional areas.

I am advised that the bureau’s operational plan will allow it to meet these objectives, to respond to the specific requirements and priorities of major user groups and to build on the capabilities of new technology, including the automation of some tasks. These issues, as I said, were canvassed quite extensively in the Senate estimates hearings. I refer Senator Macdonald to the very detailed answers which were provided by bureau staff on that occasion.