THREE determined Griffith citizens have vowed to stage weekly protest marches in an effort to have the decision to close the city's CSIRO laboratory reversed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Jean McClung, Peter Katsoolis and Brian Mills are calling on members of the community to join them every Wednesday at 3pm in front of CWA Park in Banna Avenue to march to Murrumbidgee MP Adrian Piccoli's office and then around to Member for Riverina Michael McCormacks to help save the 10 CSIRO jobs at risk.
Saving the CSIRO in Griffith is just a very small part of what Mr Mills called "a very long story" for the trio.
"We are passionate about Griffith and we are going to do everything possible," Mr Mills said.
"There have been too many losses in this town.
"Michael McCormack says the decision is not about the budget, but if it's not we want to know the reason."
Mr Mills said he and his two friends had made concerted efforts to have their voices heard on behalf of Griffith on a number of different matters including a presentation at a senate inquiry last year.
"We have identified the weakest links among the politicians we have encountered. Adrian Piccoli and Barnaby Joyce provided us with the most ammunition. Ian Macfarlane, Peter Dutton and Michael McCormack were in the second line of weakness."
After almost a year of investigation they have now turned their attentions to Griffith's CSIRO, which had more than a hundred employees in its heyday.
"Saving 10 jobs will be very satisfying. It could also open the door against apathy in Griffith," Mr Mills said.
"There is such a groundswell of feeling that the government is letting us down.
"I think everyone would agree that taking the CSIRO out of Griffith is ludicrous. The work they do is essential. They want us to be the food bowl of Asia but they are taking away our protection.
"We are drawing a line in the sand with the CSIRO. This is where it's got to stop.
"We will march every Wednesday until they reverse the decision. We hope others will join us. If Griffith can't unite on this then we don't deserve to be saved."