Australia Abolished World-Renowned Water Research Center, Climate Group, Then Paid For Lomborg
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Last week a spokesman for Education Minister Christopher Pyne said: "The government is contributing around a third of the total cost of the centre based on a proposal put forward by the University of Western Australia and Dr Lomborg's organisation." But in talking points circulated to UWA staff members, David Harrison, UWA' s head of corporate and government affairs, provides a suggested answer to any students or colleagues to the question: "How did the Australia Consensus Centre come to UWA?"
"UWA was approached by the federal government," the talking points state. "We saw it as a good opportunity, not only for the university's reputation as a global leader in higher education, but also as a way we could make a positive difference in addressing some of the biggest challenges facing the world today.
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It is understood some UWA academics are disgruntled by the decision to give $4 million to Dr Lomborg for the new centre amid the cuts. The university has axed its world-renowned Centre for Water Research, led by scientist Jorg Imberger, winner of the most prestigious award in his field, the Stockholm Water Prize. In March, UWA justified the decision by saying the centre was running at a loss and has suspended Professor Imberger amid an investigation for alleged misconduct.
In an email to supporters of the Climate Council on Friday, former Australian of the Year Tim Flannery said it was "extraordinary" that the government had abolished the Climate Commission "which was composed of Australia's best climate scientists, economists and energy experts" on the basis of lack of funding only to find the money to "import a politically-motivated think tank to work in the same space." "Mr Lomborg's views have no credibility in the scientific community," Professor Flannery wrote.
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http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/bjorn-lomborg-centre-leaked-documents-cast-doubt-on-abbott-government-claims-20150422-1mqfnn.html