CSIRO#History

CSIRO is governed by a board appointed by the Australian Government, currently chaired by Ming Long AM. {{Cite web|access-date=30 October 2023|url=https://www.csiro.au/en/about/people/board-members|title=CSIRO Board Members}} There are eight directors inclusive of the chief executive, presently Doug Hilton, who are responsible for management of the organisation.{{Cite web|access-date=30 October 2023|url=https://www.csiro.au/en/about/people/board-members|title=CSIRO Board Members}}{{Cite web|access-date=30 October 2023|url=https://www.csiro.au/en/about/Corporate-governance/Chief-Executive-and-Executive-Team/Chief-Executive-and-Executive-Team|title=CSIRO Executive Team}}

CSIRO is structured into Research Business Units, National Facilities and Collections, and Services.{{Cite web|url=https://www.csiro.au/en/about/corporate-governance/chief-executive-and-executive-team/chief-executive-and-executive-team|title=CSIRO Operating Model}}

File:NICTA Eveleigh offices.jpg]]

As at 2023, CSIRO's research areas are identified as "Impact science" and organised into the following Business Units:{{Cite web |last=CSIRO |title=Business units |url=https://www.csiro.au/en/about/people/business-units |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=www.csiro.au |language=en}}

• Agriculture and Food
• Health and Biosecurity{{cite web | title=Health and Biosecurity | website=CSIRO | url=https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/BF | access-date=23 March 2020}}
• Data61{{cite web|url=https://data61.csiro.au/ |title=Data 61| access-date=23 March 2020}}
• Energy
• Manufacturing
• Mineral Resources
• Space and Astronomy
• Environment (being the amalgamation of the former Land and Water and Oceans & Atmosphere BUs)

CSIRO manages national research facilities and scientific infrastructure on behalf of the nation to assist with the delivery of research. The national facilities and specialised laboratories are available to both international and Australian users from industry and research. As at 2019, the following National Facilities are listed:

• Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP)
• Australia Telescope National Facility – radio telescopes included in the Facility include the Australia Telescope Compact Array, the Parkes Observatory, Mopra Observatory and the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder
• Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
• Energy Centre and National Solar Energy Centre
• Marine National Facility (R.V. "Investigator")
• New Norcia ground station
• NovaSAR-1 satellite
• Pawsey Supercomputing Centre

CSIRO manages a number of collections of animal and plant specimens that contribute to national and international biological knowledge. The National Collections contribute to taxonomic, genetic, agricultural and ecological research. As at 2019, CSIRO's Collections are listed as the following:

• Australian National Algae Culture Collection
• The Atlas of Living Australia
• Australian Tree Seed Centre
• Australian National Fish Collection
• Australian National Insect Collection
• Australian National Herbarium
• Australian National Soil Archive (managed through A&F)
• Australian National Wildlife Collection
• Cape Grim Air Archive{{Cite web |url=https://csiropedia.csiro.au/cape-grim-air-archive/ |title=Cape Grim Air |access-date=8 November 2022 |archive-date=4 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104232102/https://csiropedia.csiro.au/cape-grim-air-archive/ |url-status=dead }}

File:CSIRO ScienceImage 609 Automatic Rain Collector for Measuring Acidity.jpg in remote areas (February 2000)]]

In 2019, CSIRO Services are itemised as follows:

• Materials and infrastructure services
• Agricultural and environmental analysis
• Environmental services
• Biological, food and medical science services
• Australian Animal Health Laboratory services

Other services are noted as including education, publishing, infrastructure technologies, Small and Medium Enterprise engagement and CSIRO Futures.

A precursor to CSIRO, the Advisory Council of Science and Industry, was established in 1916 on the initiative of prime minister Billy Hughes. However, the advisory council struggled with insufficient funding during the First World War. In 1920 the council was renamed the Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry, and was led by George Handley Knibbs (1921–26), but continued to struggle financially.{{Cite book |first=George |last=Currie |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/925648548 |title=The origins of CSIRO : science and the Commonwealth government 1901-1926 |date=1966 |publisher=Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization |oclc=925648548}}

Implementing the 1923 Imperial Conference's call for colonies to broaden their economic base, in 1926 the Australian Parliament modified the principal Act (the Institute of Science and Industry Act 1920{{Cite Legislation AU|Cth|num_act|iosaia192022o1920403|Institute of Science and Industry Act 1920}}{{cbignore}}) for national scientific research by passing the Science and Industry Research Act 1926.{{Cite Legislation AU|Cth|num_act|saira192620o1926325|Science and Industry Research Act 1926}}{{cbignore}} The same conference led to the creation of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in New Zealand.

The new Act replaced the institute with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). With encouragement from prime minister Stanley Bruce, strengthened national science leadership and increased research funding, CSIR grew rapidly and achieved significant early successes. The council was structured to represent the federal structure of government in Australia, and had state-level committees and a central council. In addition to an improved structure, CSIR benefited from strong bureaucratic management under George Julius, David Rivett, and Arnold Richardson. Research focused on primary and secondary industries. Early in its existence, CSIR established divisions studying animal health and animal nutrition. After the Great Depression, research was extended into manufacturing and other secondary industries.{{cite web |url= http://csiropedia.csiro.au/our-history/ |title= Our history |first=Colin |last=Ward |date= 10 December 2015 |website= CSIROpedia |publisher= CSIRO |access-date= 16 April 2018 }}

In 1949 the Act was changed again,{{Cite Legislation AU|Cth|act|saira1949279|Science and Industry Research Act 1949}}{{cbignore}} and the entity name amended to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. The amendment enlarged and reconstituted the organisation and its administrative structure. Under Ian Clunies Ross as chairman, CSIRO pursued new areas such as radio astronomy and industrial chemistry. CSIRO still operates under the provisions of the 1949 Act in a wide range of scientific inquiry.

Participation by women in CSIRO research was severely limited by the Australian government policy, in place until 1966, forcing women public servants out of their jobs when they married.{{Cite book |last=Carey |first=Jane |title=Taking to the Field |publisher=Monash University Publishing |year=2023}} Even unmarried women were considered a poor investment because they might eventually marry. Single women such as Helen Newton Turner nevertheless made major contributions.

Since 1949, CSIRO has expanded its activities to almost every field of primary, secondary and tertiary industry, including the environment, human nutrition, conservation, urban and rural planning, and water. It works with leading organisations around the world and maintains more than 50 sites across Australia and in France, Chile and the United States of America, employing about 5500 people.{{cite web | url=https://www.csiro.au/en/About/International | title=International collaboration | publisher=CSIRO | access-date=8 February 2019 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.csiro.au/en/About/International |title=International collaboration |website=Csiro.au |date=28 January 2016 |access-date=4 January 2017}}

In 2016 CSIRO launched its "Innovation Catalyst" Strategy which focused on solving Australia's Innovation Dilemma, it generated $10,000,000,000 more social, economic, and environmental value than any prior strategy, and trained 3,500 researchers from across 32 Universities on the process of innovation, and became the first Australian entity of any kind to reach the Thomson Reuters Global Top 25 Innovators.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-19 |title=Why Larry Marshall turned down a job extension at CSIRO |url=https://www.afr.com/technology/why-larry-marshall-turned-down-a-job-extension-at-csiro-20230613-p5dgaj |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}

In March 2025, research from Pollster DemosAU identified the CSIRO as Australia's second most trusted national institution, behind the Bureau of Meteorology.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-12 |title=Australia's Most Trusted Institutions: BoM, CSIRO, AEC |url=https://demosau.com/news/australias-most-trusted-institution/ |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=demosau.com |language=en-US}}

• National Research "Flagships" launched in 2003, expanded 2007 to $250,000,000 in research funding{{Cite web |title=the CSIRO National Research Flagships program - fundsforNGOs - Grants and Resources for Sustainability |url=https://www.fundsforngos.org/tag/the-csiro-national-research-flagships-program/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |language=en-US}}
• Sues Global Chip makers over WiFi Patent infringement 2005, wins $205,000,000 in 2009, and $105,000,000 by 2016{{Cite web |last=Mullin |first=Joe |date=2012-04-05 |title=How the Aussie government "invented WiFi" and sued its way to $430 million |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/04/how-the-aussie-government-invented-wifi-and-sued-its-way-to-430-million/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-US}}
• Dr Cathy Foley becomes CSIRO's first Chief Scientist in 2018, then Australia's Chief Scientist in 2021{{Cite web |date=2018-08-29 |title=CSIRO's chief scientist Cathy Foley wants colleagues to "feel loved" |url=https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/careers/csiros-chief-scientist-cathy-foley-wants-colleagues-to-feel-loved-20180828-h14ltb |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}
• CSIRO becomes first Australian entity to reach the Thomson Reuters Global Top 25 Innovators, beating NASA in 2018
• Health Business Unit is created in 2016, enables scale up and, in partnership with CSL, mass production of Australia's only COVID vaccine in 2020, and invests $450,000,000 to create Australian Center for Disease Preparedness{{Cite web |title=CORONAVIRUS: CSIRO ARMED NATION FOR INFECTIOUS INVADER. - Document - Gale Academic OneFile Select |url=https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA622478062&sid=sitemap&v=2.1&it=r&p=EAIM&sw=w&userGroupName=anon~b94d2a56&aty=open-web-entry |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=go.gale.com}}
• CSIRO makes first acquisition, NICTA creating Australia's largest Digital and AI group{{Cite web |last=CSIRO |title=CSIRO's Data61 delivers for Australia in its first year of operations |url=https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/News/2017/June/CSIROs-Data61-delivers-for-Australia-in-its-first-year-of-operations |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=www.csiro.au |language=en}}
• "ON" becomes Australia's first National Science Accelerator, training 3,500 university researchers across 33 institutions, and beating the prestigious US iCorps program by 2018, with 300% higher financial outcomes, diversity, and innovation ecosystem penetration{{Cite web |last=Riley |first=Pete |last2=Ben-Nun |first2=Michal |last3=Turtle |first3=James A. |last4=Linker |first4=Jon |last5=Bacon |first5=David P. |last6=Riley |first6=Steven |date=2017-08-11 |title=Identifying factors that may improve mechanistic forecasting models for influenza |url=https://doi.org/10.1101/172817 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=doi.org}}
• Female leadership doubles by 2020, bringing CSIRO into the Sage "green" zone for gender equity for first time in 100y{{Cite web |date=2023-09-26 |title=We need to turn invention into innovation |url=https://www.afr.com/technology/we-need-to-turn-invention-into-innovation-20230925-p5e7b2 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}
• CSIRO marches in Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras for first time, CEO joins{{Cite web |last=Hirst |first=Jordan |date=2019-02-21 |title=CSIRO telescope turns rainbow as staff march in first Sydney Mardi Gras |url=https://qnews.com.au/csiro-telescope-turns-rainbow-as-staff-march-in-first-sydney-mardi-gras/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=QNews |language=en-us}}
• Main Sequence Ventures is created in 2017 as first Venture Capital fund inside government, becomes $1,000,000,000 top-quartile global fund{{Cite web |last=Riley |first=James |date=2017-11-03 |title=Larry Marshall's Main Sequence |url=https://www.innovationaus.com/larry-marshalls-main-sequence/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=InnovationAus.com |language=en-AU}}
• By 2023 "Innovation Catalyst" strategy creates $10,000,000,000 more value than any prior strategy, and $400,000,000 per year greater investment in science
• CSIRO wins Roy Morgan Most Trusted Brand for first time in 2022{{Cite web |title=Australia Post, ABC, Aussie Broadband, CSIRO and Red Cross win most trusted services and communications brands in 2024 - Roy Morgan Research |url=https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9758-trusted-brand-awards-2024-services-brands-and-companies |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=www.roymorgan.com}}
• CSIRO achieves first emissions reduction in 100y, reaching 83% of Net Zero by 2022{{Cite web |title=Making net zero a reality |url=https://www.ceda.com.au/newsandresources/opinion/energy/making-net-zero-a-reality |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=CEDA}}

Notable inventions and breakthroughs by CSIRO include:{{Cite web |last=Daroczy |first=Jenna |date=September 11, 2015 |title=10 of our best inventions |url=https://csiropedia.csiro.au/our-top-10-inventions/ |website=CSIRO}}

• A4 DSP chip
• Aerogard, insect repellent
• Atomic absorption spectroscopy
• Biological control of Salvinia{{Cite web |last=Ward |first=Colin |date=2013-09-05 |title=Salvinia biocontrol |url=https://csiropedia.csiro.au/salvinia-biocontrol/ |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=CSIROpedia |language=en-AU}}
• Development of Linola (a flax variety with low alpha-linolenic acid content) with a longer life used as a stockfeed
• Distance measuring equipment (DME) used for aviation navigation
• Gene shears
• Interscan Microwave landing system, a microwave approach and landing system for aircraft
• Use of myxomatosis and calicivirus to control rabbit numbers
• Parkes Radio Telescope
• The permanent pleat for fabrics
• Plasma sintering
• Polymer banknote
• Production of metals from their halides
• Relenza flu drug
• Sirosmelt lance
• "Softly" woollens detergent
• Phase-contrast X-ray imaging
• Method to use titanium in 3D printing{{cite news|last1=Swan|first1=David|title=Titomic soars on ASX debut, plans facility with large-scale 3D printer|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/titomic-soars-on-listing/news-story/e4462ec453a0c8c20421660ef9a245ef|work=The Australian|date=21 September 2017}}
• UltraBattery
• Essential components of Wi-Fi technology{{Cite web|url=https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/tools-resources/case-studies/csiro-wlan-patent|title = CSIRO's WLAN patent|date = 29 January 2016}}
• [https://research.csiro.au/robotics/zebedee/ Zebedee] - Mobile Handheld 3D Lidar Mapping technology{{Cite web |title=CSIRO Annual Report 2014-15 - Taking 3D laser mapping to the world |url=https://csiropedia.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CSIROAnnualReport2014-15.pdf |page=55}}

CSIRO had a pioneering role in the scientific discovery of the universe through radio "eyes". A team led by Paul Wild built and operated (from 1948) the world's first solar radiospectrograph, and from 1967 the {{convert|3|km|mi|adj=mid|-diameter}} radioheliograph at Culgoora in New South Wales. For three decades, the Division of Radiophysics had a world-leading role in solar research, attracting prominent solar physicists from around the world.{{cite web |url=http://www.csiro.au/news/ps47j |title=Dr John Paul Wild |publisher=CSIRO |date=16 May 2008 |access-date=22 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125053338/http://www.csiro.au/news/ps47j |archive-date=25 January 2015 }}

CSIRO owned the first computer in Australia, CSIRAC, built as part of a project began in the Sydney Radiophysics Laboratory in 1947. The CSIR Mk 1 ran its first program in 1949, the fifth electronic computer in the world. It was over 1,000 times faster than the mechanical calculators available at the time. It was decommissioned in 1955 and recommissioned in Melbourne as CSIRAC in 1956 as a general purpose computing machine used by over 700 projects until 1964.{{cite web |url=http://www.csse.unimelb.edu.au/dept/about/csirac/ |title=CSIRAC |publisher=University of Melbourne |work=Department of Computer Science and Engineering |access-date=8 May 2006 |author1=Steven Pass |author2=David Hornsby |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227165717/http://www.csse.unimelb.edu.au/dept/about/csirac/ |archive-date=27 February 2015 }} The CSIRAC is the only surviving first-generation computer in the world.{{cite web |url=http://www.museum.vic.gov.au/csirac/ |title=Museum Victoria's CSIRAC information site|access-date=26 April 2008 }}

Between 1965 and 1985, George Bornemissza of CSIRO's Division of Entomology founded and led the Australian Dung Beetle Project. Bornemissza, upon settling in Australia from Hungary in 1951, noticed that the pastureland was covered in dry cattle dung pads which did not seem to be recycled into the soil and caused areas of rank pasture which were unpalatable to the cattle. He proposed that the reason for this was that native Australian dung beetles, which had co-evolved alongside the marsupials (which produce dung very different in its composition from cattle), were not adapted to utilise cattle dung for their nutrition and breeding since cattle had only relatively recently been introduced to the continent in the 1880s. The Australian Dung Beetle Project sought, therefore, to introduce species of dung beetle from South Africa and Europe (which had co-evolved alongside bovids) in order to improve the fertility and quality of cattle pastures. Twenty-three species were successfully introduced throughout the duration of the project and also had the effect of reducing the pestilent bush fly population by 90%.{{cite journal | author = Bornemissza G. F. | year = 1976 | title = The Australian dung beetle project 1965–1975 | journal = Australian Meat Research Committee Review | volume = 30 | pages = 1–30 }}

CSIRO was the first Australian organisation to start using the Internet{{cite web|url=http://www.aarnet.edu.au/about-us/history.aspx |title=History |publisher=AARNet |access-date=16 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412054848/https://www.aarnet.edu.au/about-us/history.aspx |archive-date=12 April 2011 }} and was able to register the second-level domain csiro.au (as opposed to csiro.org.au or csiro.com.au). Guidelines were introduced in 1996 to regulate the use of the .au domain.

When CSIR was formed in 1926, it was led initially by an executive committee of three people, two of whom were designated as the chairman and the chief executive. Since then the roles and responsibilities of the chair and chief executive have changed many times. From 1927 to 1986 the head of CSIR (and from 1949, CSIRO) was the chairman, who was responsible for the management of the organisation, supported by the chief executive. From 1 July 1959 to 4 December 1986 CSIRO had no chief executive; the chairman undertook both functions.{{cite web |url= http://csiropedia.csiro.au/heads-of-csiro-2/ |title= Chief Executives and Chairs |author= |date= April 2018 |website= CSIROpedia |publisher= CSIRO |access-date= 16 April 2018 }}

In 1986, when the Australian Government changed the structure of CSIRO to include a board of non-executive members plus the chief executive to lead CSIRO, the roles changed. The chief executive is now responsible for management of the organisation in accordance with the strategy, plans and policies approved by the CSIRO Board which, led by the chair of the board, is responsible to the Australian Government for the overall strategy, governance and performance of CSIRO.

As with its governance structure, the priorities and structure of CSIRO, and the teams and facilities that implement its research, have changed as Australia's scientific challenges have evolved.{{cite web |url= http://csiropedia.csiro.au/organisational-history/ |title= Organisational history |author= |date= April 2018 |website= CSIROpedia |publisher= CSIRO |access-date= 16 April 2018 }}

Numerous CSIRO scientists have gone onto distinguished careers in the university sector. Several have been appointed to the role of Vice-Chancellor/President. They include: Sir George Currie (UNZ 1952–62, Western Australia 1945–52), Paul Wellings CBE (Wollongong 2012–21, Lancaster 2002–12), Michael Barber AO (Flinders 2008–14), Mark Smith CBE (Southampton 2019–ff, Lancaster 2012–19), Annabelle Duncan (UNE 2014–19), Attila Brungs (UNSW 2021–ff, UTS 2014–21), Alex Zelinsky AO (Newcastle (2018–ff), Andrew Parfitt (UTS 2021–ff), Chris Moran (UNE 2023–ff).

In 2005 the CSIRO gained worldwide attention, including some criticism, for promoting a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet of their own creation called Total Wellbeing Diet.{{cite web|url=http://www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Health-and-Wellbeing/Prevention/Total-Wellbeing-Diet-online.aspx |title=The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet |website=Csiro.au |date=12 May 2016 |access-date=4 January 2017}} The CSIRO published the diet in a book which sold over half a million copies in Australia and over 100,000 overseas.{{cite news |url=http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/stories/2006.asp |date=6 December 2005 |access-date=24 April 2006 |title=The town taking the CSIRO challenge |work=A Current Affair |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051213020826/http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/stories/2006.asp |archive-date = 13 December 2005}} The diet was criticised in an editorial by Nature for giving scientific credence to a "fashionable" diet sponsored by meat and dairy industries.{{cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/peers-turn-up-heat-on-csiro-diet/2005/12/27/1135445573297.html |title=Peers turn up heat on CSIRO diet |publisher=The Age |date=28 December 2005 |access-date=21 June 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://classicbackissues.australasianscience.com.au/bi2006/272CSIROdiet.pdf |title=Nature Gags on CSIRO Diet |publisher=Australasian Science |date=1 March 2006 |access-date=21 June 2016}}

In the early 1990s, CSIRO radio astronomy scientists John O'Sullivan, Graham Daniels, Terence Percival, Diethelm Ostry and John Deane undertook research directed to finding a way to make wireless networks work as fast as wired networks within confined spaces such as office buildings. The technique they developed, involving a particular combination of forward error correction, frequency-domain interleaving, and multi-carrier modulation, became the subject of {{US Patent|5487069}}, which was granted on 23 January 1996.

In 1997 Macquarie University professor David Skellern and his colleague Neil Weste established the company Radiata, Inc., which took a nonexclusive licence to the CSIRO patent for the purpose of developing commercially viable integrated circuit devices implementing the patented technology.{{cite web |last=Matthews |first=Mark |title=Creating and Exploiting Intangible Networks: How Radiata was able to improve its odds of success in the risky process of innovating |url=http://www.dest.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/3C2255E6-B6E5-49EB-BB96-1FBA94EB0EA4/1372/radiata.pdf |publisher=Australian Government, Department of Education, Science and Training |access-date=13 May 2012 |author2=Bob Frater |pages=8–9 & 16 |date=November 2003}}

During this period, the IEEE 802.11 Working Group was developing the 802.11a wireless LAN standard. CSIRO did not participate directly in the standards process, however David Skellern was an active participant as secretary of the Working Group, and representative of Radiata.{{cite web |last=Skellern |first=David |title=Tentative Minutes of the IEEE P802.11 Full Working Group |url=https://grouper.ieee.org/groups/802/11/Minutes/Cons_Minutes_99July.pdf |publisher=Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers |access-date=13 May 2012 |date=5–9 July 1999}} In 1998 it became apparent that the CSIRO patent would be pertinent to the standard. In response to a request from Victor Hayes of Lucent Technologies, who was chair of the 802.11 Working Group, CSIRO confirmed its commitment to make non-exclusive licenses available to implementers of the standard on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms.{{cite web |last=Cooper |first=Dennis |title=Letter to Mr V Hayes, Chair, IEEE P802.11 |url=https://standards.ieee.org/wp-content/uploads/import/governance/patcom/loa-802_11a-csiro-04Dec1998.pdf |access-date=13 May 2012 |date=4 December 1998}}

In 1999, Cisco Systems, Inc. and Broadcom Corporation each invested A$4 million in Radiata, representing an 11% stake for each investor and valuing the company at around A$36 million. In September 2000, Radiata demonstrated a chip set complying with the recently finalised IEEE 802.11a Wi-Fi standard, and capable of handling transmission rates of up to 54 Mbit/s, at a major international exhibition.

In November 2000, Cisco acquired Radiata in exchange for US$295 million in Cisco common stock with the intention of incorporating the Radiata Baseband Processor and Radio chips into its Aironet family of wireless LAN products.{{cite web |title=Press Release: Cisco Systems to Acquire Radiata, Inc. |url=http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/fspnisapi08cd.html |publisher=Cisco Systems, Inc. |access-date=13 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011124055012/http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/fspnisapi08cd.html |archive-date=24 November 2001 }} Cisco subsequently took a large write-down on the Radiata acquisition, following the 2001 telecoms crash,{{cite news |last=Heskett |first=Ben |title=Cisco still confident after networking shock |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/cisco-still-confident-after-networking-shock/ |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=ZDNet |date=9 May 2001}} and in 2004 it shut down its internal development of wireless chipsets based on the Radiata technology in order to focus on software development and emerging new technologies.{{cite news |last=Reardon |first=Marguerite |title=Cisco retires wireless chipsets |url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1033_3-5151131.html |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=CNET News |date=30 January 2004}}

Controversy over the CSIRO patent arose in 2006 after the organisation won an injunction against Buffalo Technology in an infringement suit filed in Federal Court in the Eastern District of Texas.{{cite news |last=Moses |first=Asher |title=CSIRO wins landmark legal battle |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/wireless--broadband/csiro-wins-landmark-legal-battle/2006/11/15/1163266614119.html |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=The Age |date=15 November 2006}} The injunction was subsequently suspended on appeal, with the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit finding that the judge in Texas should have allowed a trial to proceed on Buffalo's challenge to the validity of the CSIRO patent.{{cite news |last=Venkatesan |first=Arun |title=Buffalo Allowed to sell wireless products again (for now) |url=https://techcrunch.com/2008/12/03/buffalo-allowed-to-sell-wireless-products-again-for-now/ |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=TechCrunch |date=3 December 2008}} In 2007, CSIRO declined to provide an assurance to the IEEE that it would not sue companies which refused to take a license for use in 802.11n-compliant devices, while at the same time continuing to defend legal challenges to the validity of the patent brought by Intel, Dell, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard and Netgear.{{cite news |last=Winterford |first=Brett |title=No backdown from CSIRO over Wi-Fi patents |url=http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/systems-management/2007/10/02/no-backdown-from-csiro-over-wi-fi-patents-39289756/ |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=ZDNet |date=2 October 2007}}

In April 2009, Hewlett-Packard broke ranks with the rest of the industry becoming the first to reach a settlement of its dispute with CSIRO.{{cite news |last=Moses |first=Asher |title=CSIRO cashes in on patent claim |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/biztech/csiro-cashes-in-on-patent-claim/2009/04/01/1238261630683.html |access-date=13 May 2012 |date=1 April 2009}} This agreement was followed quickly by settlements with Microsoft, Fujitsu and Asus{{cite news |last=Duckett |first=Chris |title=Microsoft, Fujitsu, Asus settle with CSIRO |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-fujitsu-asus-settle-with-csiro/ |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=ZDNet |date=15 April 2009}} and then Dell, Intel, Nintendo, Toshiba, Netgear, Buffalo, D-Link, Belkin, SMC, Accton, and 3Com.{{cite news |last=Stevens |first=Tim |title=CSIRO's patent lawsuits conclude with the final 13 companies set |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/04/22/csiros-patent-lawsuits-conclude-with-the-final-13-companies-set/ |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=Engadget |date=22 April 2009}}{{cite news |last=Flynn |first=David |title=CSIRO could scoop billions from Wi-Fi patent |url=http://apcmag.com/csiro-could-scoop-billions-from-wi-fi-patent.htm |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=APC Magazine |date=23 April 2009}}

The controversy grew after CSIRO sued US carriers AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile in 2010, with the organisation being accused of being "Australia's biggest patent troll", a wrathful "patent bully", and of imposing a "WiFi tax" on American innovation.{{cite news |last=Popper |first=Ben |title=Australia's Biggest Patent Troll Goes After AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505124_162-43340647/australias-biggest-patent-troll-goes-after-at038t-verizon-and-t-mobile/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506135649/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505124_162-43340647/australias-biggest-patent-troll-goes-after-at038t-verizon-and-t-mobile/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 May 2013 |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=CBS News |date=3 June 2010}}{{cite news |last=Stevens |first=Tim |title=CSIRO's patent fight targets more victims: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/05/21/csiros-patent-fight-targets-more-victims-atandt-verizon-wireles/ |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=Engadget |date=21 May 2010}}{{cite news |last=Masnick |first=Mike |title=CSIRO Wants To Expand Its WiFi Tax: Sues Mobile Operators |url=http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100601/1913309652.shtml |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=TechDirt |date=2 June 2010}}

Further fuel was added to the controversy after a settlement with the carriers, worth around $229 million, was announced in March 2012.{{cite news |last=Chirgwin |first=Richard |title=Champagne at CSIRO after WiFi patent settlement |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/04/01/csiro_settles_with_carriers/ |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=The Register |date=1 April 2012}}{{cite news |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |title=WiFi patent case results in $229 million payment to Australian government |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/04/wifi-patent-case-results-in-229m-payment-to-australian-government/ |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=Ars Technica |date=3 April 2012}} Encouraged in part by an announcement by the Australian Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills Science and Research, Senator Chris Evans,{{cite web |title=Media Release: Aussie scientists bring home millions in wifi windfall |url=http://minister.innovation.gov.au/chrisevans/MediaReleases/Pages/millionsinwifiwindfall.aspx |publisher=Australian Government |access-date=13 May 2012 |date=1 April 2012}} an article in Ars Technica portrayed CSIRO as a shadowy organisation responsible for US consumers being compelled to make "a multimillion dollar donation" on the basis of a questionable patent claiming "decades old" technology.{{cite news |last=Mullin |first=Joe |title=How the Aussie government "invented WiFi" and sued its way to $430 million |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/04/how-the-aussie-government-invented-wifi-and-sued-its-way-to-430-million/ |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=Ars Technica |date=5 April 2012}} The resulting debate became so heated that the author was compelled to follow up with a defence of the original article.{{cite news |last=Mullin |first=Joe |title=Responses and clarifications on the CSIRO patent lawsuits |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/04/op-ed/ |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=Ars Technica |date=6 April 2012}} An alternative view was also published on The Register, challenging a number of the assertions made in the Ars Technica piece.{{cite news |last=Chirgwin |first=Richard |title=CSIRO patent-trolls ALL OF AMERICA! |date=10 April 2012|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/04/10/csiro_patent_trolls_wifi/ |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=The Register }}

Total income to CSIRO from the patent is currently estimated at nearly $430 million.{{cite news |title=CSIRO wins legal battle over wi-fi patent |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-01/csiro-receives-payment-for-wifi-technology/3925814 |access-date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=ABC News |date=1 April 2012}} On 14 June 2012, the CSIRO inventors received the European Patent Office (EPO) European Inventor Award (EIA), in the category of "Non-European Countries".{{cite web |title=EPO's European Inventor Award 2012 goes to outstanding inventors from Germany, France, Denmark and Australia

|url=http://www.epo.org/news-issues/news/2012/20120614.html |publisher=European Patent Office |access-date=18 June 2012 |date=14 June 2012}}

On 14 July 2011, Greenpeace activists vandalised a crop of GM wheat, circumventing the scientific trials being undertaken. Greenpeace was forced to pay reparations to CSIRO of $280,000 for the criminal damage, and were accused by the sentencing judge, Justice Hilary Penfold, of cynically using junior members of the organisation with good standing to avoid custodial sentences, while the offenders were given 9-month suspended sentences.{{cite web| url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/greenpeace-activists-in-costly-gm-protest-20120802-23i0t.html| title=Greenpeace activists in costly GM protest| work=Sydney Morning Herald| date=2 August 2012| access-date=8 November 2013}}{{cite web| url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/gm-crop-destroyers-given-suspended-sentences-20121119-29l66.html| title=GM crop destroyers given suspended sentences| work=Canberra Times| date=19 November 2012| access-date=8 November 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205181420/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/gm-crop-destroyers-given-suspended-sentences-20121119-29l66.html| archive-date=5 February 2018| url-status=dead}}

Following the attack Greenpeace criticised CSIRO for a close relationship with industry that had led to an increase in genetically modified crops, even though a core aim of CSIRO is Cooperative Research "working hand in hand with industry [to] build partnerships and engage with industry to generate impact".{{cite web | url = http://www.csiro.au/en/Portals/Partner/Industry.aspx | title = Working hand in hand with industry | access-date = 8 November 2013 | date = 22 April 2013 | work = CSIRO website | publisher = Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation | archive-date = 16 December 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131216091336/http://www.csiro.au/en/Portals/Partner/Industry.aspx | url-status = dead }}{{cite web |url= http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/en/mediacentre/media-releases/food/Greenpeace-calls-on-CSIRO-to-come-clean-on-commercial-relationships/ |title= Greenpeace calls on CSIRO to come clean on commercial relationships |date= 15 July 2011 |publisher= greenpeace.org }}

On 25 November 2009, a debate was held in the Australian Senate concerning the alleged involvement of the CSIRO and the Labor government in censorship. The debate was called for by opposition parties after evidence came to light that a paper critical of carbon emissions trading was being suppressed.{{cite news |url=https://www.clivespash.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/09-11-2-The-Australian-FRONT-PAGE.pdf |author= Berkovic, N. |date= 2 November 2009 |title= CSIRO bid to gag emissions trading scheme policy attack |work= The Australian |publisher= News Limited }} At the time, the Labor government was trying to get such a scheme through the Senate. After the debate, the Science Minister, Kim Carr, was forced to release the paper, but when doing so in the Senate he also delivered a letter from the CEO of the CSIRO, Megan Clark, which attacked the report's author and threatened him with unspecified punishment.{{cite news |url= https://www.clivespash.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/9_News_26_Nov_2009.pdf |author= Crystal, J. |date= 26 November 2009 |title= CSIRO scientist faces punishment |publisher= 9 News |location= Australia }} The author of the paper, Clive Spash, was cited in the press as having been bullied and harassed,{{cite news |title= Climate expert Clive Spash 'heavied' by CSIRO management |url= https://www.clivespash.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/09-11-3-The_Australian-Climate_expert_Clive_Spash_heavied_by_CSIRO_management.pdf |author= Berkovic, N. |date= 3 November 2009 |work= The Australian }} and later gave a radio interview about this.{{cite web |url= https://www.clivespash.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/MW-CSIRO-121212.mp3 |author= Walsh, M. |year= 2012 |title= The toxic workplace and bullying culture at CSIRO |publisher= 2cc.net.au }} In the midst of the affair, CSIRO management had considered releasing the paper with edits that Nature reported would be "tiny".{{cite journal |url= http://www.nature.com/news/2009/091113/full/news.2009.1083.html |author= Pincock, S. |date=13 November 2009 |title= Australian agency moves to calm climate row. Researcher will be allowed to publish his paper after making 'tiny' changes. |journal= Nature |doi=10.1038/news.2009.1083|url-access= subscription }} Spash claimed the changes actually demanded amounted to censorship and resigned. He later posted on his website a document detailing the text that CSIRO management demanded be deleted;{{cite web |title= An Orwellian guide to carbon emissions trading |author= Spash, C. |year= 2010 |url= https://www.clivespash.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/OrwellianGuidetoCarbonETS.pdf |publisher= clivespash.org }} by itself, this document forms a coherent set of statements criticising emissions trading without any additional wording needed. In subsequent Senate Estimates hearings during 2010, Senator Carr and Clark went on record claiming the paper was originally stopped from publication solely due to its low quality not meeting CSIRO standards.Australian Senate 2010. Senate Economics Legislation Committee Estimates. Canberra: Official Hansard (Wednesday, 10 February 2010) At the time of its attempted suppression, the paper had been accepted for publication in an academic journal, New Political Economy, which in 2010 had been ranked by the Australian Research Council as an 'A class' publication.{{cite web |url=http://www.arc.gov.au/xls/era2010_journal_title_list.xls |title=Archived copy |access-date=11 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119133137/http://www.arc.gov.au/xls/ERA2010_journal_title_list.xls |archive-date=19 November 2011 }} In an ABC radio interview, Spash called for a Senate enquiry into the affair and the role played by senior management and the Science Minister.{{cite news |title= Dumped Professor calls for Senate inquiry |url= http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2010/s2829301.htm |author= Colvin, M. |year= 2010 |publisher= Australian Broadcasting Corporation }} After these events, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that "Questions are being raised about the closeness of BHP Billiton and the CSIRO under its chief executive, Megan Clark".{{cite news |url= https://www.smh.com.au/business/csiro-in-bed-with-big-coal-20100702-zu2i.html |author= Manning, P. |year= 2010 |title= CSIRO in bed with big coal |work= The Sydney Morning Herald}} After his resignation, an unedited version of the paper was released by Spash as a discussion paper,{{cite web |url= http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/19114/ |author= Spash, C. L. |year= 2009 |title= The Brave New World of Carbon Trading |work= Munich Personal Research Papers in Economics Archive (MPRA) |publisher= Munich University }} and later published as an academic journal article.{{cite journal |author= Spash, C. L. |date= 16 July 2010 |title= The brave new world of carbon trading |journal= New Political Economy |volume= 15 |number= 2 |pages= 169–195 |doi= 10.1080/13563460903556049 |s2cid= 44071002 |url= https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/19114/1/MPRA_paper_19114.pdf }} Copy also available at {{cite journal |url=https://www.clivespash.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2010_Spash_Brave_New_World_NPE.pdf |title=The brave new world of carbon trading |journal= New Political Economy |volume= 15 |number= 2 |pages=169–195 |doi=10.1080/13563460903556049 |year=2010 |last1=Spash |first1=Clive L. |s2cid=44071002 }}

On 11 April 2013, the Sydney Morning Herald ran a story on how CSIRO had "duped" the Swiss-based pharmaceutical giant Novartis into purchasing an anti-counterfeit technology for its vials of injectable Voltaren. The invention was marketed by a small Australian company called DataTrace DNA as a method of identifying fake vials, on the basis that a unique tracer code developed by CSIRO was embedded in the product. However, the code sold to Novartis for more than A$2M was apparently not unique, and was based on a "cheap tracer ... bought in bulk from a Chinese distributor". Novartis was contractually bound not to reverse-engineer the tracer to verify its uniqueness. The Sydney Morning Herald report alleges that this was done with the knowledge of key CSIRO personnel.{{cite news |title=How the CSIRO cheated a global drugs giant |url=http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/how-the-csiro-cheated-a-global-drugs-giant-20130410-2hluf.html |access-date=12 April 2012 |newspaper= The Sydney Morning Herald |date=11 April 2012}}

CSIRO has since conducted a full review of the allegations and found no evidence to support them.{{cite web |url=http://www.csiro.au/en/Portals/Media/CSIRO-review-of-issues-raised-about-CSIROs-interactions-with-DataTrace.aspx |title=CSIRO review of issues raised about CSIRO's interactions with DataTrace |publisher=Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation |date=11 August 2013 |access-date=7 September 2013}}

Around 2008–2012, CSIRO fell under the spotlight for allegedly exhibiting a culture of workplace bullying and harassment.Linton Besser and Nicky Phillips (12 April 2013) [http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/science-second-in-toxic-csiro-work-culture-20130412-2hqv0.html "Science second in toxic CSIRO work culture"], The Sydney Morning Herald. Former CSIRO employees started to surface with experiences of workplace bullying and other unreasonable behaviour by current and former CSIRO staff members.Linton Besser (5 February 2013) [http://www.smh.com.au/national/probe-into-csiro-bullying-20130205-2dwva.html "Probe into CSIRO bullying"], The Sydney Morning Herald.Linton Besser (18 September 2012) [http://www.smh.com.au/national/whistleblowers-at-csiro-forced-out-and-bullying-rife-20120917-262hk.html "Whistleblowers at CSIRO forced out and bullying rife"], The Sydney Morning Herald. CSIRO took the allegations seriously and responded to the articles on a number of occasions.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Megan |date=14 April 2013 |title=More than 85 years of growth, change and impact |url=https://www.csiro.au/Portals/Media/More-than-85-years-growth-change-impact.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023033545/https://www.csiro.au/Portals/Media/More-than-85-years-growth-change-impact.aspx |archive-date=2014-10-23 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=CSIRO}}{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Megan |date=2 May 2013 |title=Chief Executive Megan Clark's update to staff re Fairfax articles |url=http://www.csiro.au/Portals/Media/Chief-Executive-Megan-Clarks-update-to-staff-re-Fairfax-articles.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023235332/http://www.csiro.au/Portals/Media/Chief-Executive-Megan-Clarks-update-to-staff-re-Fairfax-articles.aspx |archive-date=2013-10-23 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=CSIRO}}

The shadow minister for innovation, industry, science and research, Sophie Mirabella, wrote to the government requesting it establish an inquiry. Mirabella said she is aware of as many as 100 cases of alleged workplace harassment. On 20 July 2012 Comcare issued CSIRO with an Improvement Notice with regard to handling and management of workplace misconduct/code of conduct type investigations and allegations.{{cite web |url=http://www.comcare.gov.au/about_us/access_to_information/disclosure_log/foi_requested_documents/improvement_notice_relating_to_eve207221 |title=Improvement notice relating to EVE207221 page |website=www.comcare.gov.au |access-date=27 January 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130727093429/http://www.comcare.gov.au/about_us/access_to_information/disclosure_log/foi_requested_documents/improvement_notice_relating_to_eve207221 |archive-date=27 July 2013 |url-status=dead }} On 24 June 2013 Mirabella advised the Australian House of Representatives that in relation to the worker's compensation claim for psychological injuries of ex-CSIRO employee, Martin Williams, which was vigorously defended by Comcare on the advice of the CSIRO, that CSIRO officers had provided false testimony on no less than 128 occasions under oath when the matter went before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal."I am also reminded of the government's stubborn unwillingness to bring the CSIRO to account for a series of inaccurate and misleading statements that have been made to the Senate estimates committees, including the recent incomprehensible answer to question AL156 which says that no CSIRO employee provided false evidence under oath during cross-examination in the AAT case involving Martin Williams, when an analysis of the transcript of that case suggests that there are at least 100, and more precisely around 128, separate instances of CSIRO officers providing false evidence in the case."

Sophie Mirabella MP (shadow minister for innovation, industry, science research and tertiary education). Australian House of Representatives – House Debate Monday 24 June 2013 at 6:33pm. [http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2013-06-24.99.2 "Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill 2013; Second Reading"] Mirabella stated, "even in establishing the framework for this inquiry it is obvious there's an inappropriate 'hands on' approach by CSIRO."

In response to the allegations Clark commissioned Dennis Pearce,{{cite web |url=http://www.hwlebsworth.com.au/expertise/intellectual-property-and-trade-marks/features/our-team/item/479-emeritus-professor-dennis-pearce-ao.html |title=Emeritus Prof. Dennis Pearce AO FAAL |website=Hwlebsworth.com.au |access-date=4 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510115720/http://www.hwlebsworth.com.au/expertise/intellectual-property-and-trade-marks/features/our-team/item/479-emeritus-professor-dennis-pearce-ao.html |archive-date=10 May 2013 |url-status=dead }} who is assisted by an investigation team from HWL Ebsworth Lawyers,{{cite web|title=HWL Ebsworth appointed to CSIRO bullying enquiry|url=http://asia.legalbusinessonline.com/news/hwl-ebsworth-appointed-to-csiro-bullying-enquiry/110241|work=Asian Legal Business|publisher=Thomson Reuters|access-date=27 July 2013}} to conduct an independent investigation into allegations of workplace bullying and other unreasonable behaviour.[http://www.hwlebsworth.com.au/csiro-investigation.html Independent Investigator for Allegations of Workplace Bullying and Other Unreasonable Behaviour] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409032401/http://hwlebsworth.com.au/csiro-investigation.html |date=9 April 2013 }}, hwlebsworth.com.au

"Emeritus Professor Dennis Pearce AO has been appointed as the independent investigator for allegations of workplace bullying and other unreasonable behaviour by current and former CSIRO staff members and CSIRO affiliates." Mirabella continued to question the independence of the investigation.Sophie Mirabella MP, (26 February 2013), [http://www.sophiemirabella.com.au/Media/PortfolioMedia/MediaReleases/tabid/78/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/708/CSIRO-BULLYING-TERMS-OF-REFERENCE-LEAVES-QUESTIONS-UNANSWERED.aspx "CSIRO bullying terms of reference leaves questions unanswered"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105083222/http://www.sophiemirabella.com.au/Media/PortfolioMedia/MediaReleases/tabid/78/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/708/CSIRO-BULLYING-TERMS-OF-REFERENCE-LEAVES-QUESTIONS-UNANSWERED.aspx |date=5 January 2017 }}, Portfolio News The first stage of the investigation published its findings at the end of July 2013, and the final stage was scheduled to be complete by February 2014."The investigator will provide his Phase 1 reports by 31 July 2013. It is likely that people will be told the outcome of the investigator's consideration of their submission at about this time. It is intended that Phase 2 will be completed by February 2014."

[http://www.hwlebsworth.com.au/csiro-investigation.html Independent Investigator for Allegations of Workplace Bullying and Other Unreasonable Behaviour] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409032401/http://hwlebsworth.com.au/csiro-investigation.html |date=9 April 2013 }}{{primary source inline|date=July 2013}} Post the Pearce Report, CSIRO overhauled its relevant policies and put in place training and whistleblower procedures to address the situation.

In 2013, the Abbott government cuts $25,000,000 from CSIRO's annual budget, and in 2014 CEO Megan Clarke makes "almost a quarter of CSIRO's scientists redundant"{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Noel Towell, Mark Kenny, Bridie |date=2013-11-07 |title=Razor taken to CSIRO |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/razor-taken-to-csiro-20131107-2x4fu.html |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}

In 2014, Minister Greg Hunt created NESP, diverting $21,000,000 per year of CSIRO climate funding to competitive Universities{{Cite web |date=2016-06-06 |title=A hidden agenda? Larry Marshall and the CSIRO's climate scientists |url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/backgroundbriefing/a-hidden-agenda-larry-marshall-and-the-csiro-climate-scientists/7480370 |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=ABC listen |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |title=National Environmental Science Programme |url=https://www.cawcr.gov.au/projects/Climatechange/about/national-environmental-science-programme/ |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=Australian Climate Change Science Programme |language=en-AU}}

In 2015, Dr Larry Marshall becomes CEO{{cite web |date=16 July 2015 |title=Executive Team – CSIRO |url=http://www.csiro.au/en/About/Leadership-governance/Chief-Executive-and-Executive-Team/Team |access-date=4 January 2017 |website=Csiro.au}} and shifts CSIRO's purpose to solving national challenges with science, launches “Innovation Catalyst Strategy”

In August 2015, the CSIRO discontinued its annual July and August survey, conducted over the previous five years, polling to create a long-term view of how Australians viewed global warming and their support for action. In the previous 2013 poll, 86 per cent agreed with the statement that climate change was occurring and only 7.6 per cent disagreed.{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/climate-change-csiro-axes-annual-attitudes-survey-delays-2014-results-20150810-giw6i1.html |title=Climate change: CSIRO axes annual attitudes survey, delays 2014 results |website=Smh.com.au |date=11 August 2015 |access-date=4 January 2017}}

In 2016, Funding cuts of 2014 force 70 redundancies in climate science, Marshall says the argument about climate change is settled so its time to find a solution, compares emotion of debate to religion.{{cite web|url=http://reneweconomy.com.au/2016/climate-politics-more-like-religion-says-csiro-boss-90059 |title=Climate politics 'more like religion', says CSIRO boss |publisher=reneweconomy.com.au |date=11 February 2016 |access-date=4 January 2017}}

In "an open letter to the Australian Government and CSIRO", 2,800 of the leading climate scientists from 60 countries say the announcement of cuts to the CSIRO's Oceans and Atmosphere research program has alarmed the global climate research community. They say the decision shows a lack of insight and a misunderstanding of the importance of the depth and significance of Australian contributions to global and regional climate research.{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com.au/the-worlds-top-scientists-beg-malcolm-turnbull-to-allow-csiro-to-continue-its-climate-research-2016-2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213093520/http://www.businessinsider.com.au/the-worlds-top-scientists-beg-malcolm-turnbull-to-allow-csiro-to-continue-its-climate-research-2016-2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 February 2016 |title=The world's top scientists beg Malcolm Turnbull to allow CSIRO to continue its climate research |website=Businessinsider.com.au |access-date=4 January 2017}}

Climate lobby, Greens & Labor launch intense political campaign against Marshall – terminating the “failed Marshall plan” and “reversing the cuts and "sacking Marshall" become a focus of Labor's 2016 election campaign.{{Cite news |last=Hutchens |first=Gareth |date=2016-06-12 |title=Labor promises CSIRO $250m to reverse Coalition's funding cuts |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jun/12/labor-promises-csiro-250m-to-reverse-coalitions-funding-cuts |access-date=2025-02-10 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

Labor loses election, value of CSIRO doubles, Marshall becomes longest serving CEO in CSIRO's history.{{Cite web |last=Riley |first=James |date=2023-06-16 |title=The exit interview: Larry Marshall has no regrets |url=https://www.innovationaus.com/the-exit-interview-larry-marshall-has-no-regrets/ |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=InnovationAus.com |language=en-AU}}

In 2018, CSIRO creates 1^st Net Zero plan for Australia, and demonstrates it by taking all 55 sites across Australia 80% of way to net zero, and doubling value of CSIRO at same time.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-19 |title=Why Larry Marshall turned down a job extension at CSIRO |url=https://www.afr.com/technology/why-larry-marshall-turned-down-a-job-extension-at-csiro-20230613-p5dgaj |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Making net zero a reality |url=https://www.ceda.com.au/newsandresources/opinion/energy/making-net-zero-a-reality |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=CEDA}}

The CSIRO has been the target of successive funding cuts under the Morrison government, starting with cuts targeting climate science research initiated by Tony Abbott.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/26/csiro-funding-cuts-driven-by-pure-ignorance-says-staff-association|title=CSIRO funding cuts driven by 'pure ignorance', says staff association | Science | The Guardian|website=amp.theguardian.com|access-date=4 May 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/jaw-dropping-csiro-job-cuts-to-gut-climate-science-unit-38881/|title='Jaw-dropping' CSIRO job cuts to 'gut' climate science unit|first=Sophie|last=Vorrath|date=4 February 2016|website=reneweconomy.com.au|access-date=4 May 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/climate-will-be-all-gone-as-csiro-swings-jobs-axe-scientists-say-20160204-gml7jy.html|title=Climate science to be gutted as CSIRO swings jobs axe|website=amp.smh.com.au|date=4 February 2016 |access-date=4 May 2022}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| total_width = 320

| image1 = CSIRO Logo.svg

| caption1 = CSIRO logo

| image2 = Cisco logo blue 2016.svg

| caption2 = Cisco Systems logo

}}

In 2015, Cisco Systems filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against CSIRO, claiming that the colours and style of CSIRO's logo were too similar to Cisco's. An Australian court ruled in CSIRO's favor and ordered Cisco to pay CSIRO's court costs.{{cite news|url=https://theregister.com/2015/04/10/cisco_loses_logo_lawsuit_against_wifi_inventor_boffinhaus|title=Cisco loses logo lawsuit against WiFi inventor boffinhaus|last=Sharwood|first=Simon|date=2015-04-10|work=The Register|access-date=7 July 2022}}

• Australia Telescope National Facility
• Australian Animal Health Laboratory
• Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme
• Australian Dung Beetle Project
• Australian Space Research Institute
• Backing Australia's Ability
• Biosecurity in Australia
• Cooperative Research Centres
• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Ghana
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India
• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa
• CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere
• CSIRO Publishing
• Defence Science and Technology Group
• Fraunhofer Society, Germany
• George Bornemissza
• Goyder Institute for Water Research, a research collaboration with universities and SA government
• Parkes Observatory
• Peter Rathjen
• SINTEF, Norway
• Susan Wijffels
• Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
• Waste management in Australia
• Yingjie Jay Guo

{{Reflist|group=note}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website|http://www.csiro.au/}}
• [http://www.csiro.us/ CSIRO US website]
• [http://csiropedia.csiro.au/ CSIROpedia] Official CSIRO history site
• [http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-458251 Commonwealth of Australia. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). (1949–)] National Library of Australia, Trove, People and Organisation record for CSIRO
• [http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-629990 Commonwealth of Australia. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). (1926–1949)] National Library of Australia, Trove, People and Organisation record for CSIR
• [http://aehrc.com/ Australian e-Health Research Centre] (AeHRC)
• [https://liveability.com.au/about/ Centre for Liveability Real Estate]
• Issues
• {{cite web |url = http://www.buffalotech.com/press/releases/united-states-appellate-court-rules-in-buffalos-favor-in-ongoing-us-patent-litigation/ |title = United States Appellate Court Rules in Buffalo's Favor in Ongoing U.S. Patent Litigation |date = 24 September 2008 |publisher = Buffalo Tech |quote = Wi-Fi technology relating to the transmission of wireless signals |url-status= dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081012075350/http://www.buffalotech.com/press/releases/united-states-appellate-court-rules-in-buffalos-favor-in-ongoing-us-patent-litigation/ |archive-date = 12 October 2008 }}
• {{cite web |url = http://victimsofcsiro.com/ |title = Victims of Bullying, Harassment, and Victimisation in the CSIRO |year = 2011 }}

{{Clear}}

{{Public sector space agencies}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation}}

Category:Scientific organisations based in Australia

Category:Space programme of Australia

Category:Atmospheric dispersion modeling

Category:Research institutes in Australia

Category:Forest research institutes

Category:Life sciences industry

Category:Industry in Australia

Category:Organisations based in Canberra

Category:Research institutes established in 1916

Category:1916 establishments in Australia

Category:Robotics in Australia