Last year, the Murdochs received approval to demolish and rebuild their property’s harbor-front swimming pool, including associated landscaping, at an estimated cost of $128,610. Now, the latest development application submitted by “Mr. L K & Mrs. S A Murdoch” estimates a new driveway addition will cost $183,700. Whether these figures reflect Point Piper’s upscale market or the Murdochs’ premium taste, the project promises an opulent entrance.
CSIRO’s Survival Challenge: A Scientific ‘Survivor’
Meanwhile, a scenario reminiscent of “Australian Survivor” is unfolding at a conference and wedding venue in Melbourne’s Southbank. Scientists from Australia’s leading publicly funded research body, the CSIRO, are reportedly fighting to save their jobs and projects. Last year, about 440 positions were cut, and now more research and science roles face potential elimination.
The four-day “Research Portfolio Build Workshop,” attended by CSIRO’s leadership team, science directors, and program directors, is where researchers from units like climate change, agriculture, and artificial intelligence will present “deep dive presentations” to enrich understanding of their science. According to an internal briefing note, the workshop’s outcomes will be significant.
CSIRO chief executive Doug Hilton stated, “We need to become simpler and sustainable,” indicating potential research exits.
Hilton emphasized the workshop’s role in “clarifying the future shape of our research portfolio,” describing the presentations as “really exciting” or perhaps “terrifying.” The Commonwealth Public Sector Union’s Susan Tonks highlighted the pressure on scientists, comparing the situation to a “Survivor-style contest” where they must “pitch for their lives.”
A CSIRO spokeswoman explained that funding hasn’t kept pace with the demands of a modern science agency, necessitating a reshaping of the research portfolio. “The workshop is an important step to inform these decisions,” she noted, assuring that any changes will follow established procedures and include staff consultation.
Political Theatre: Wattle Day Without the Press
In another development, Labor Assistant Minister Patrick Gorman and rookie MP for Whitlam Carol Berry held a media doorstop at federal parliament’s Mural Hall to celebrate National Wattle Day, marking the start of spring. Despite the lack of journalists present, Gorman encouraged Australians to “snap a photo for their Instagram of wattle” and admire the country’s natural beauty.
Gorman even linked the event to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s campaign themes, showcasing his Medicare card as a symbol of national pride. The absence of reporters at such events is not uncommon, although they are often broadcast on parliamentary television.
Parliamentary Sightings: Warren Entsch Returns
In a lighter note, former Liberal National Party MP Warren Entsch was spotted in the Parliament House dining room during the sitting week. Entsch, who served as the MP for Leichhardt, Queensland, from 1996 to 2007, and again from 2010 until his retirement in May, seems unable to stay away from the political scene.
These stories highlight the contrasting worlds of opulence and austerity, from the Murdochs’ lavish additions to the CSIRO’s battle for survival. As the scientific community braces for potential cuts, the Murdochs’ project underscores the stark divide in priorities and resources.
