When the BHP V-P for Health, Safety, Environment, Community and Sustainability Came to Call. (September 4, 2008)

TFW has been informed by a former high-ranking CSIRO scientist of a protest by unclothed CSIRO scientists, masquerading as university students, on The University of  Melbourne Campus which occurred last week in anticipation of Dr Megan Clark's pending appointment as the organisation's chief executive. The nakedness was deemed not a stunt but stemmed from sheer necessity. It was the result of repeated efficiency dividends.

The following email was sent round by the university's vice-chancellor:

From: Glyn Davis

Sent: Wednesday, 27 August 2008 2:06 PM

Colleagues,

Megan Clark, Vice-President of BHP Billiton, has been on campus today.

She was greeted at 10 am by 30 male students, naked for Prosh week, dancing around her taxi.

'Quite an interesting university you have here' was her only comment.

Megan thought it the funniest moment of her year, and no doubt is busy entertaining BHP Billiton with lurid tales of campus life!

Glyn

What awaits Dr Clark when she comes to inspect the CSIRO divisions is anyone's guess.

The Canberra Times reported: "Asked about her vision for the cash-strapped national science organisation forced to shed at least 100 jobs following a $63million budget cut this year by the Rudd Government, Dr Clark said she intended to ''further build CSIRO into one of the most respected institutions in the world'", while The Age wrote: "Dr Clark... rejected suggestions the Government's budget funding cuts of $63 million over four years had damaged morale at the CSIRO."

One wonders who she has been talking to.