CANBERRA – So, the government coughed up $387.4 million for CSIRO. Big whoop. After months of scientists LARPing as activists and Pocock grandstanding with his online petition, the overlords decided to throw them a bone. Will it shut them up? Doubtful.

Apparently, this cash injection is supposed to fix the 'long-term costs' of the 'national science agency.' Translation: it's a bailout for a bloated bureaucracy that can't manage its budget. Remember all those 'job cuts' and 'cost-cutting measures'? Yeah, those were just the first signs of a failing institution.

But hey, at least Pocock is happy. The guy commissioned his own 'analysis' (probably from some woke think tank) showing that CSIRO funding is at a historic low. As if 'percentage of GDP' is the only metric that matters. Maybe CSIRO just needs to get its act together and stop wasting money on virtue signaling.

"The additional $387.4m was welcome and reflects huge and effective advocacy from scientists, staff and the community," Pocock said, patting himself on the back. Translation: I signed a petition, so I single-handedly saved science. What a hero.

And of course, Pocock's already angling for more. He wants a 25% tax on gas exports to fund even more research and development. Because, you know, punishing successful industries is always the answer. Gotta bleed those gas companies dry to pay for all that 'climate research' that conveniently justifies even more government intervention.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher claims the money will give CSIRO 'stability.' Sure, the kind of stability you get from a constant IV drip of taxpayer dollars. And Science Minister Tim Ayres is talking about 'solving some of Australia’s biggest challenges.' Translation: using taxpayer money to push a leftist agenda disguised as 'science.'

Don't forget the $38 million for the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness. Because nothing says 'preparedness' like waiting until 2030 to start funding it. Maybe they'll use the money to develop a vaccine that only works on people who use the correct pronouns.

The whole thing stinks of cronyism and political posturing. CSIRO gets a bailout, Pocock gets to play savior, and the taxpayers get stuck with the bill. Meanwhile, the real problems – like out-of-control government spending and the erosion of individual liberty – get ignored.