Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to inform the chamber that Senators Whish-Wilson, Bilyk, Brown, Polley, Singh and Urquhart will also be sponsoring the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senators Whish-Wilson, Bilyk, Brown, Polley, Singh and Urquhart, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) that the Bureau of Meteorology intends to replace regional weather forecasting teams with a more centralised and automated model operating out of Melbourne and Brisbane,

(ii) that with a changing climate and more frequent extreme weather events, Australian regions need accurate localised weather forecasting services now more than ever before,

(iii) that this loss of localised weather forecasting and expertise will affect and concern many sectors, including emergency services, agriculture, fisheries and shipping,

(iv) for Tasmania, the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has estimated this move will affect 15 to 20 specialist weather forecasting jobs,

(v) that Tasmania's local weather forecasters have provided critical local knowledge to Tasmanian residents, businesses and emergency services during extreme weather events, such as the Hobart floods and Dunalley bushfires,

(vi) the United Firefighters Union Tasmania has stated it is "absolutely crucial to have local knowledge" during reduction burns and high fire danger periods, and

(vii) the CPSU Tasmanian union, which represents parks and forestry firefighters and the State Emergency Service, has stated it is "stupid and short-sighted" to separate forecasters from crews on the ground; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to ensure the Bureau of Meteorology abandons its plans to centralise forecasting services, and maintain the current levels of jobs, expertise and forecasting services in regional areas.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a one-minute statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Tasmanians rightly value the services provided by the Bureau of Meteorology. That is why the community concerns at proposed changes by the bureau have been fully acknowledged. The Prime Minister has guaranteed that there will be no job losses, and the bureau is consulting widely to embrace concerns. The bureau has never had any plans to reduce jobs or services in Tasmania. It is working with all stakeholders, including staff, to improve its services to community and increase engagement with users so that its forecasting services remain world-class into the future. While the Greens aspire to maintain services, the government, along with the Tasmanian Liberal Senate team, is looking at enhancing, and value-adding to, the services. Consultations to improve services continue on the basis that no decisions have been taken, jobs are secure, local forecasting will continue and community stakeholders will continue to be consulted with.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that motion No. 1053 be agreed to.