lead poisoning and microplastics at work
2 Likes
I mean, we all kinda knew it, but it’s still kinda jarring to see it so openly acknowledged.
1 Like
I think CSIRO funding model relies on IP revenue so working with industry is important. @Humble_Minion is better placed to confirm.
what a fkg idiot. So he thinks it is the “Industry Commonwealth Society Research Organization”. What a fkg idiot. Must have been appointed by the anti-science Tories
1 Like
Yes, that is how the Tories have downgraded the institution.
I remember seeing job ads back in the early seventies. At that time, a scientist at CSIRO was paid about the same salary as a MHR. As the ad says “Compare the pair”. Who discovers things of value and who gets to feather their own nest.
2 Likes
Larry Marshall is a good scientist but is a real wanker in most other ways.
CSIRO under his leadership have done their best to rid themselves of vast numbers of experienced scientists.
Fk, I could only dream of that nowadays. Only when you get to the top of that tree (Level E) does the pay match a federal MP.
Hmm, not easy to find what MHRs get but:
“The base salary for a federal MP or senator in 2022 is $217,060.
On top of their salaries MPs also receive very generous allowances for their electorate offices, motor vehicles and more than $10,000 [tax-free] for international travel.”
Other sites report the allowances are about thirty k each.
What may a Level E professor get after decades of study and productive output?
It is incredibly difficult to get to be a NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow. Have to be in top fractions of one percent in the world not just Australia. They get:
Senior Principal Research Fellow (SPRF) = 190,629
Unless rare exceptions like Nobel laureates can negotiate something better, it’s only the most featherbedded professors at places like ANU get something like MHRs:
Level E3 get 227,324 bucks p.a.
How much do you get once you start taking the sweet cash from the fossil fuel companies?
1 Like
Once the get preselected, then elected, give up their job,they are only guaranteed a max 3 years tenure, spend a long time away from their home and their families ( not just when Parliament is sitting) they get an overseas study trip every X years, they need staff to tend to their electorates, have to do functions in their electorates, often at weekends. It’s particularly tough on those from WA and the NT.
The Parliamentary salaries were struck to ensure that not only the affluent could afford to take on the job and reflecting the precarious nature of the job.
I don’t think they are overpaid and nearly all I have known of any particular political persuasion are hard working and committed.
2 Likes
Critically underpaid in my view and it is why particularly the Liberals find it hard to get good candidates.
1 Like
Despite thinking most of them are useless turds I think they get underpaid.
Who the hell is going to give up a well paid job where you face little to no scrutiny from the public to take on a job as a politician where you are in the public eye 24/7.
You couldn’t pay me enough to be put up with that crap
Be a good politician and you probably don’t need to put up with that crap.
A good media would sort that out.
Good politicians would ensure the checks and balances are always there working.
Imagine paying the last government more. Even double. Reckon it would fix anything?
1 Like
It’s not just a matter of that though. Your private life is under the microscope 24/7 and someone is waiting for you to slip up.
I love going to the footy, having a few beers and abusing the umps and opposition too much 
Victorian Libs have about 20,000 and dwindling…
I don’t think there’s many political parties out there with booming membership counts right now.
I wonder if the default method of political engagement has drifted from ‘join the party’ to ‘make a Twitter account and try to get lame hashtags trending and call yourself a ‘political thought leader’.
2 Likes
Labor reckons that in Victoria that it has 50,000 Members; we are the second oldest branch in the State and we have 36 with very few under 60. There must be some very large Branches somewhere then.
Maybe Fawkner Park cemetery is the largest Labor Branch; I was told once that the dead vote in our internal elections.
1 Like
IIRC, about 10 years ago when I signed up as a member, I was automatically placed in “central branch” and had to request a transfer to Elwood branch, so I could take part in local branch votes.
So, I’d believe the 50,000 number, but very few actively transfer to and participate in the local branches.