CSIRO Scientist Claims Managers Wrote to Journal Demanding His Peer Reviewed Paper Not be Published. (November 2, 2009)

According to his CSIRO resume: "Dr Clive L Spash is undertaking interdisciplinary research analysing the impacts on ecological sustainability of socio-economic systems and interactions."

Just over a week ago CSIRO's chief executive, Megan Clark was interviewed by the ABC's Monica Attard. TFW noted:

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Megan Clark: The issue here of personal, private is when we do it in our area of discipline. Because from an Australian point of view, from a public point of view, if one of our scientists is talking about their discipline area there's no division between an individual and the organisation. So what we need to do is speak loudly as an organisation and encourage our scientists to speak as CSIRO scientists, and that's what I intend to encourage in the organisation.

Well, perhaps some muzzles are more muzzling than others but it wouldn't be surprising that at least some CSIRO researchers are not gonna be too elated by that last comment and it may not do too much for attracting and keeping the best and brightest.

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In a paper read at the Australia New Zealand Society for Ecological Economics (ANZSEE) conference in Darwin this past Wednesday Dr Spash said: "The CSIRO is currently maintaining they have the right to ban the written version of this paper from publication by myself as a representative of the organisation and by myself as a private citizen."

According to The Australian's Nicola Berkovic: In the paper, Dr Spash argues the economic theory underpinning emissions trading schemes is "far removed" from the reality of permit markets. "While carbon trading and offset schemes seem set to spread, they so far appear ineffective in terms of actually reducing GHGs (greenhouse gases)," he says. "Despite this apparent failure, ETS remain politically popular amongst the industrialised polluters. The public appearance is that action is being undertaken. The reality is that GHGs are increasing and society is avoiding the need for substantive proposals to address the problem of behavioural and structural change."

CSIRO's Manager for Media Liaison, Huw Morgan, told Ms Berkovic that publication of Dr Spash's paper was an internal matter and was being reviewed by the chief executive's office [Megan Clark's].

In the meantime "Senator Carr said he was seeking a briefing from the CSIRO."