Bureau of Meteorology boss Andrew Johnson has apologised for the confusion brought on by the company’s request to be known as “the bureau”.
In mid-October, the nationwide climate forecaster in favour of its full identify “the Bureau of Meteorology” or “the bureau”.
The assertion, which got here with a visible rebrand and new Twitter handles, was met with derision and a slew of sardonic tweets.
In response, Mr Johnson publicly apologised at Friday’s Senate estimates listening to.
“Like every massive organisation, there are occasions the place we do not get it proper,” he stated.
“Current public commentary concerning the identify of our organisation is not any reflection by any means on {our capability} and devotion to maintaining Australians knowledgeable.
“I sincerely apologise if this commentary has triggered confusion or uncertainty locally. That was definitely not our intention.”
Mr Johnson stated the forecaster’s myriad names had been complicated to older and linguistically various Australians, and harassed the bureau’s announcement was not a rebrand nor a reputation change, however an try to “present a transparent and constant presence”.
“We’ve merely requested media shops to seek advice from us by that identify as a result of we expect that may enhance the effectiveness of our readings and forecasts, notably for at-risk communities.”
The CEO additionally used the chance to deal with claims about office chaos on the bureau that emerged after the branding debacle.
Dr Johnson stated the forecaster’s myriad names had been complicated to older and linguistically various Australians. Supply: AAP / JASON O’BRIEN/AAPIMAGE
A Saturday Paper report alleged the bureau banned mentions of local weather change in reference to extreme climate occasions and blocked particular person meteorologists from making public statements about world warming, however Mr Johnson stated the forecaster’s stance was clear.
“For a few years, we have now supplied proof together with to this committee that local weather change is actual and it is extremely seemingly that human actions have triggered a lot of the world warming we have now seen since 1950,” he stated.
“I’ve all the time felt that our views are all the time open.”
He made a transparent distinction between the bureau’s job as a climate forecaster and CSIRO’s function as a local weather analysis physique.
“We largely deal with phenomena that go from days by means of to months and our colleagues on the CSIRO deal with issues that go from months by means of to years.”
Nevertheless, Mr Johnson didn’t interact with claims about his company’s excessive turnover and poisonous office tradition.
“We take all office points severely and we’re dedicated to offering a wholesome, secure and productive office.”