PM Gillard Never Met W. Australia's Chief Scientist Before Attending Climate Conference - Or After

[hatrack]

TENSION between the federal government and its top scientific adviser were exposed yesterday with revelations she was not asked for advice before a world conference on climate change. Outgoing chief scientist Penny Sackett, whose shock resignation halfway through a five-year term was announced last week, also told a Senate estimates hearing yesterday that she not met Julia Gillard, and met former prime minister Kevin Rudd only once.

She said she had not been invited to the United Nations climate change summit in Copenhagen in 2009 to assist with negotiations or advise on the science, nor was she called on in the lead-up to give advice on emissions targets.
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Professor Sackett - a physicist by training and astronomer by profession, who has resigned for ''personal'' reasons - has long been an advocate for urgent action on climate change, arguing that Australia will be at an economic disadvantage if action is delayed.

She reiterated yesterday her call for urgent action. ''It is my firm view that all countries should immediately seek ways to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the effects of climate change that are already under way and those that we expect from emissions already in the atmosphere,'' she told the committee.

EDIT

http://www.theage.com.au/national/gillard-never-met-chief-scientist-20110223-1b5kj.html

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Just to be clear, the "W." does not stand for 'Western'. I presume it stands for 'with'

I was wondering why a federal PM would be expected to meet frequently with a state scientist, but it seems, from reading the article, it seems she was chief scientist for the federal government, so the lack of meetings is more worrying.

[hatrack]

2. Correct - damned headers only have so much space . . .

:hi: