Abbott government gives $4m to help climate contrarian set up Australian centre

Abbott just wants to be seen as a MAN as he is very unsure of that himself --he has to do these butch type things to try and prove his manlyness, however it just makes him look even more woosy and stupid.   Abbott is very unsure of himself and is not a leader and never will be.  Abbott has NO class either

Ideology trumps research
Did Environment Minister Greg Hunt do his research when he dismantled the scientifically rigorous and productive Australian Climate Commission in 2013? When he said cutting the ACC would avoid duplicating government work, save almost $600,000 in the short-term, but at least $1.6 million into the future? Or when just 18 months later he allocated $4 million of taxpayers' money to assist Danish climate change minimiser, Bjorn Lomborg, set up a "climate consensus centre" at the University of Western Australia? Did Greg Hunt do his research to discover why a Danish government committee comprised of eminent scientists found Lomborg guilty of "scientific dishonesty" in 2003? Did Greg Hunt do his research to explore why this group of highly credentialed scientists accused Lomborg of using cherry-picked data in a way that "clearly acted at variance with good scientific practice"? Did Greg Hunt do his research to discover why Bjorn Lomborg's Copenhagen Consensus Centre was defunded by the Danish government in 2012? Never mind, who needs sound research when you have ideology in spades?

Amaryll Perlesz, Clifton Hill

Age letters

But Fairfax Media has confirmed with multiple sources that the idea was conceived in the Prime Minister's Office, with Mr Abbott and chief of staff Peta Credlin personally driving the decision to fund the centre.

Mr Abbott referred to and praised Dr Lomborg in his 2009 book Battlelines. 

One insider said Mr Pyne had "nothing to do with the idea", while another said the Education Minister had been "crucified" for the decisions of others.

The controversial Bjorn Lomborg, now an adjunct professor at the University of Western Australia. Photo: Ben Rushton

The idea to fund the climate change centre was first discussed in the middle of 2014 and the search for a suitable location began soon afterwards.

The Australian Catholic University's Canberra campus was one of a number of locations considered for the controversial centre, as were a range of other locations before UWA was settled on. The ACU's vice-chancellor is prominent constitutional conservative Greg Craven, who was appointed by the government last year to lead a major review of teacher education.

http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/prime-minister-tony-abbotts-office-the-origin-for-controversial-bjorn-lomborg-centre-decision-20150423-1mrha2.html

On Lateline last night it was reported that Christopher Pyne said the government did not invite Bjorn Lomborg to bring his "think tank" to Australia, the University of Western Australia did. Pyne also said that the government was only providing one third of the funding. Lateline then interviewed the vice-chancellor of the university and he said the government invited Lomberg, the university did not, and the entire funding is provided from the government ie. the tax payer (Lateline: 22/4/15). The university is providing no more than space for the think tank to operate. MORE GOVERNMENT LIES!!!!!

A good comment on the petition site:

As a graduate of UWA, I am mortified that my alma mater would behave in such an unethical manner, funding and hosting such a dangerous anti-scientific endeavour. This tarnishes the reputation of the University, our State, and science and academia in Australia. It undermines the credibility and stature of UWA and its scientists. I strongly urge the Vice Chancellor to withdraw from this politically driven climate denying propaganda machine, and instead do what universities were designed to do - fund higher education, science and innovation for the betterment of humanity.

$100 Million to update and enlarge new Lion enclosure in Melbourne Zoo over the next few years....... (in paper Sunday...)

$5  million immediately sent to Nepal quake victims .... (least they could do...}

That's just another $105 million in the past couple days .......maybe Joe has a "money-tree" someplace?

Imagine that $105 mill. spent here -  on hospitals/homeless/infastructure - list goes on .... I'm an avid animal lover/supporter - BUT - I would rather the "Lion's" money go to building economical homes for the "Homeless" !!  Oh and also modern Care Homes for young disabled people so they are not stuck in Aged Care Facilities! 

A lot of hoohah about nothing.  So what if Abbott downed a glass or beer.  How many other politicians have done the same thing and Abbott is definitely not a "p.....pot".   Have any of you seen how bad Bob Hawke looks these days and it is not all caused by aging. 

.