Flinders University should reject cash for dodgy Lomborg scheme

South Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has written to the Flinders University Council and Chancellor urging them to follow the University of Western Australia and reject the Abbott government’s desperate bid to find a host for climate sceptic Bjorn Lomborg.

"Flinders University should reject the Abbott Governments bribery of research money in exchange for hosting the climate sceptic Bjorn Lomborg," South Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said today.

“It’s a terrible shame that due to government funding cuts to universities, local unis here in Adelaide feel pressured to take this bribe money at all.

“The University of Western Australia has already ruled out taking $4 million to host the internationally discredited climate sceptic and Flinders University and should do the same.  

"Our universities should be free of ideological interference from government. This is clearly more about Tony Abbott's belief that "climate change is crap" than funding for research with integrity. 

"I have written to the Chancellor Stephen Gerlach and the University Council urging them to reject the Bjorn Lomborg payoff. 

The Greens Federal Spokesperson for Higher Education Senator Lee Rhiannon added, “It would be extraordinary if Flinders University accepted Education Minister Christopher Pyne’s $4 million to host Bjorn Lomborg whose work has been widely discredited by both scientists and economists. 

“The Greens support Flinders staff and students who want to follow the UWA’s lead and fight the Abbott government’s continuing attack on public higher education and climate change,” Senator Rhiannon said.

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