BOM jobs safe for another year

APRIL 11, 2016: I have received confirmation from Environment Minster Greg Hunt’s office this morning, that we have a stay of execution on  job losses at our Bureau of Meteorology field office.I went into bat for these jobs after it was announced with just a day's notice to my office, that jobs would go from BOM field offices up and down the Queensland coast.I have now been assured that BOM field staff duties of taking meteorological observations and maintaining observing equipment will continue for a further 12 months, which takes us through to March 2017.The Bureau of Meteorology has plans to upgrade out weather monitoring equipment in Mackay and other centres such as Rockhampton and Townsville.Those upgrades and improved equipment are most welcome.However, I have concerns about impacts on that equipment in severe weather conditions. How do we fly someone from Brisbane or Cairns into Mackay in the midst of a cyclone if equipment is damaged or stops working?I will be arranging for Bureau of Meteorology staff to visit Mackay to hold some briefings and public information sessions on our weather service in the near future.About 750 people signed up to my campaign to fight for either the axing or at least a delay in implementation of changes at our BOM field office, and I thank you all for helping me achieve this result.