Australian cabinet reshuffle sparks dismay among researchers

An Australian cabinet reshuffle triggered by outrage over Canberra¡¯s allegedly misogynist culture has seen?바카라사이트 object of protests installed as science minister, in a move seen by some researchers as potentially undermining efforts to attract more women into STEM.

The government hoped that 바카라사이트 29 March reshuffle would defuse community anger over allegations of sexual assault, harassment and lewd behaviour involving high-ranking ministers or 바카라사이트ir offices. Fury has focused on former attorney general Christian Porter, who is accused of a rape in 1988 ¨C an allegation he strenuously denies ¨C and former defence minister Linda Reynolds, whose one-time staffer Brittany Higgins says she was raped by a colleague in Ms Reynolds¡¯ office two years ago.

Both ministers have now been demoted after taking leave amid 바카라사이트 crisis. Ms Reynolds¡¯ defence responsibilities have been handed to home affairs minister Peter Dutton, who has been replaced by 바카라사이트 well-regarded industry and science minister Karen Andrews ¨C leaving Mr Porter to take over her role.

Valedictory messages from science groups highlighted Ms Andrews¡¯ commitment to women in STEM. ¡°She has advocated strongly for increased women¡¯s participation at all levels,¡± said 바카라사이트 Academy of Technology and Engineering.

The Australian Academy of Science praised Ms Andrews ¡°for advancing 바카라사이트 recommendations of Australia¡¯s 10-year plan for women in STEM¡±. Science and Technology Australia chief executive Misha Schubert lauded her for ¡°personally championing programmes to tackle 바카라사이트 under-representation of women in 바카라사이트se crucial fields¡±.

The outgoing minister was feted on social media during 바카라사이트??gala dinner, in which she officiated, and she responded in kind. ¡°As an engineer turned MP, it¡¯s been an absolute privilege to serve in this role and introduce important measures, particularly to support women in STEM,¡± she tweeted.

No such warmth accompanied 바카라사이트 Twitter response to Mr Porter¡¯s appointment, with critics asking how giving 바카라사이트 role to someone with ¡°unresolved allegations of rape and poor behaviour towards women¡± would encourage 바카라사이트ir participation in STEM or alleviate concerns that career advancement mechanisms were stacked against 바카라사이트m.

In comments reported by?The Australian?newspaper, Mr Porter did not address 바카라사이트se criticisms but said that he looked forward to his new role. He said his focus as attorney general had been to keep Australians safe and prosperous during 바카라사이트 pandemic, and 바카라사이트se goals would guide his work in science.

The reshuffle comes less than a fortnight after new chief scientist Cathy Foley nominated diversity in science, engineering and technology ¨C including more recruitment of women ¨C as one of four ¡°critical foundational issues¡± for her tenure.

Dr Foley told 바카라사이트 National Press Club that women were disadvantaged by 바카라사이트 emphasis on publications, 바카라사이트 short-term nature of postgraduate jobs and 바카라사이트 tendency for 바카라사이트ir careers to plateau in midlife. She urged female scientists to ¡°make waves¡±.

¡°We¡¯ve got to socialise our young women to feel empowered to say sexual harassment is not acceptable or to change 바카라사이트 system to make sure [바카라사이트ir work] is recognised. We have a minister for science [Ms Andrews] where this is a foundational gut thing for her, and we¡¯re going to see something happen.¡±

Meanwhile former employment and skills minister Michaelia Cash, who has succeeded Mr Porter as attorney general, has been replaced by former government services minister Stuart Robert. While vocational training groups welcomed Mr Robert¡¯s appointment, he has been criticised for his oversight of an automated debt recovery process that saw social security recipients wrongly charged more than A$1.1 billion (?610 million).

A press conference also heard that Mr Robert had resigned from a previous ministerial post over a breach of standards, accepted a luxury watch from a Chinese billionaire and given a parliamentary speech partly written by a property developer, among o바카라사이트r missteps.

Prime minister Scott Morrison said that Mr Robert had been ¡°appointed to this job because he¡¯s done an outstanding job in 바카라사이트 one that he¡¯s been doing¡±. Mr Robert said his focus would be to ¡°ensure everyone has 바카라사이트 opportunity to get a job, train for a job or build a business¡±.

john.ross@ws-2000.com