CSIRO censured for lack of government ‘performance plan’

Australia’s top science agency has been reprimanded by the federal auditor-general for not having a clear and concise government business plan to guide its decisions.

A report published on 23 April by the Australian National Audit Office says there is “no clear evidence” that a formal corporate plan is being used by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation as its “primary planning document”.

There is already speculation among senior political advisers in Canberra that the ANAO audit could have repercussions for the CSIRO in the May 2018 federal budget. The agency is almost certain to face questions from federal senators about the report at the next Senate estimates hearing in May.