The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) announced today
its decision to cut staff by seven positions. The redundancies, which
were announced at a staff meeting this morning, will be finalised
after discussions with affected staff over the next week and will
include cuts in both science and support areas.
AIMS CEO Dr Ian Poiner says that while new systems were
implemented, staff and resources were redeployed, and every possible
effort was made to streamline operations, staff reductions were the
only option to allow AIMS to operate within its current budget and to
avoid larger scale problems in the future.
Dr Poiner says the decision was difficult to make and represents a
loss for marine science in the region.
"This is a sad day for AIMS and identifies the enormous challenges
facing research and development nationally.
"Unfortunately, AIMS is not alone in facing this challenge. The
past five years have seen a struggle by scientific research providers
across the country to keep pace with the rising costs of operations.
"The reality is that there is a cost associated with science. We
have carefully weighed our options and are taking into consideration
the skills required to ensure that we are best able to address
Australia’s growing research needs into the future."
Regardless of this setback the Institute is well-positioned to move
forward, says Dr Poiner.
"We are in the process of exploring new ways to secure our
capabilities, to pursue new research initiatives, and to maintain
current operations with the goal of providing Australia with world
leading tropical marine science."
