University of Western Australia Cancels $4 Million Federal Government Contract For Bjorn Lomborg’s Consensus Center

lomborg clean coal
Bjorn Lomborg – cancelled

As you might know, I’ve written plenty about climate science contrarian Bjorn Lomborg.

I’ve investigated the funding of his US think-tank on DeSmog and also analysed – twicehis methods on The Guardian.

A $4 million federal government grant to bring his dubious methodology to the University of Western Australia kicked off a storm with protests among academics, students and the broader academic community.

News just in though that UWA has cancelled Lomborg’s contract.  In a statement from the university,  Vice Chancellor Paul Johnson defended Lomborg, but said:

Whilst I respect the right of staff to express their views on this matter, as all universities should be places for open and honest sharing and discussion of ideas, in this case, it has placed the University in a difficult position.

Therefore, it is with great regret and disappointment that I have formed the view that the events of the past few weeks places the Centre in an untenable position as it lacks the support needed across the University and the broader academic community to meet its contractual obligations and deliver value for money for Australian taxpayers.

I have today spoken to the Federal Government and Bjorn Lomborg advising them of the barriers that currently exist to the creation of the Centre and the University’s decision to cancel the contract and return the money to the government.

Mr Johnson sent the same statement out in an email to staff this afternoon.

 

 

Author: Graham

Graham Readfearn is a Brisbane-based journalist. Go to the About page in the top navigation for more information.

2 thoughts on “University of Western Australia Cancels $4 Million Federal Government Contract For Bjorn Lomborg’s Consensus Center”

  1. Australia is having a difficult enough time with its environmental reputation without taking on an international climate denier. It was a serious affront to the many serious,world class Australian climate scientists to see this extravagant funding for a denier.

  2. “…I have formed the view that the events of the past few weeks places the Centre in an untenable position as it lacks the support needed across the University and the broader academic community to meet its contractual obligations…”

    This is quite a frank comment. I’m pleased to see it, telling it like it is.

    It’s a bit sad though that UWA saw the dollars first, was willing to do a deal with the awful Pyne and agreed to the idea
    They must have come to their senses, amazing how much more evidence they needed: the government’s dealing with the education and science sectors is plainly shitty. Learning they had been fooled, it was Abbot [Credlin and the Business Council] behind it, and Lomborg was a very damaged product, they have redeemed themselves. I hope a sign that the education sector will stop pandering to this corrupt regime.

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