Parkes dish could close after science cuts

The public sector union has warned the iconic radio telescope in Parkes could close if federal funding cuts to science are maintained.

The CSIRO-operated dish could be closed to meet funding shortfalls to the Australia Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder in Western Australia (ASKAP), according to the Community and Public Sector Union.

"Each of Australia's telescope sites fulfils a clear and different role, so the construction of ASKAP is no excuse for closing sites and sacking scientists elsewhere," CPSU national secretary Nadine Flood said.