The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has today welcomed the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment of an additional $163.4 million in the budget which guarantees the future of the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS).

This funding will secure the future of AIMS, protect jobs, and ensure that the institute can continue its world leading marine science work, which includes protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

The CPSU, which represents the workers at AIMS, has been advocating for additional funding and resources for years, after the former Coalition Government failed to adequately resource the agency. This blatant under-resourcing not only failed to keep up with modern requirements, but saw facilities deteriorate into unsafe conditions and left the institute with no choice but to decide where and what to cut.

CPSU members in AIMS do incredibly important and world-leading work that the union argues should be valued, invested in, and protected by all governments.

Today’s announcement is vital step in not only acknowledging the vital work of CPSU members in AIMS but protecting it into the future.

The next step that the CPSU looks forward to working with the Federal Government on is increasing wages and giving give those workers. on insecure labour hire and outsourced contracts, the opportunity of secure, ongoing employment.

Quotes attributable to Beth Vincent-Pietsch, CPSU Deputy Secretary:

“We are pleased that the Albanese Labor Government has recognised the critical importance of the work done by the Australian Institute of Marine Science with a commitment $163.4 million in funding to secure local Queensland jobs and the future of its critical work in protecting the reef and our oceans.

“This funding will protect existing jobs and create more than 100 secure Queensland jobs, which is vital to build the capacity and capability of the AIMS into the future.

“The funding will also work to get facilities back up to scratch and ensure that the work of our members in AIMS can continue to be world leading.

“The CPSU welcomes this announcement and thanks the Albanese Labor Government for their commitment to supporting world-leading marine science research and secure Queensland jobs.

“We look forward to continuing to work with our members in AIMS and the Federal Government to ensure that the institute remains adequately resourced, and all workers have safe and secure working conditions.

“While today’s announcement will go some way in addressing the attraction and retention issues in AIMS, those issues are present across the entirety of the APS. The CPSU looks forward to negotiating a real pay rise for public sector workers in AIMS and right across the APS so that public sector wages can once again compete with those in the private sector.

Media contact: Tori McGregor 0429 000 620