Editing CSIRO (section)

===Alleged bullying, harassment and victimisation===
Around 2008–2012, CSIRO fell under the spotlight for allegedly exhibiting a culture of workplace bullying and harassment.<ref>[[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]]''.</ref> Former CSIRO employees started to surface with experiences of workplace bullying and other unreasonable behaviour by current and former CSIRO staff members.<ref>[[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]]''.</ref><ref>[[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]]''.</ref> CSIRO took the allegations seriously and responded to the articles on a number of occasions.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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]].<ref>''"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"]</ref> 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,<ref>{{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 }}</ref> who is assisted by an investigation team from HWL Ebsworth Lawyers,<ref>{{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}}</ref> to conduct an independent investigation into allegations of workplace bullying and other unreasonable behaviour.<ref>[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<br />
"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."</ref> Mirabella continued to question the independence of the investigation.<ref>[[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</ref> 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.<ref>''"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}}</ref> Post the Pearce Report, CSIRO overhauled its relevant policies and put in place training and whistleblower procedures to address the situation.