Environment minister says University of Western Australia centre, to be headed by Danish climate contrarian, is ‘bang for your buck’

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

The environment minister has defended the federal government’s $4m contribution to establish a “consensus centre” headed by climate contrarian Bjørn Lomborg, saying it is getting “bang for your buck”.

The $13m centre is planned for the University of Western Australia’s business school with the commonwealth contributing $4m over four years.

Greg Hunt has defended the decision amid conflicting reports over whether the university approached the government with the proposal or vice versa.

“Lomborg is actually an economist of international renown and this isn’t a global warming thinktank as the left portray it. It’s actually an economic analysis unit and thinktank,” he told Channel 10’s the Bolt Report on Sunday morning.

“He’s looking at all sorts of economic cost-benefit analysis. The cost-benefit approach is often derided by some of those who are deeply engaged in a political campaign rather than in getting the best bang for your buck.”

Hunt’s comments come after a meeting on Friday where academics at the University of Western Australia asked the university to break its agreement with the government to establish the centre.

The centre, which was originally established in Denmark before losing funding, is to be co-chaired by Lomborg and the university’s vice chancellor, Paul Johnson. Lomborg will also take up a position as an adjunct professor. It is expected to be running by July.

Johnson has stood by the decision, saying the university will not walk away from the centre.

“The university has signed a contract with the government,” he said on Friday.

Staff at the university, including honorary research fellow with the department of engineering, Dr Eric Feinblatt, have criticised the decision, saying the only reason it is happening is because Lomborg’s views are favoured by the federal government.

Johnson had defended not consulting widely with staff before signing the contract for the centre.

“My understanding is the dean of the business school did discuss this with the leadership group of the business school. However, it is fairly common that we don’t take forward research proposals, grant proposals, for broad discussion,” he said.

Lomborg is not a climate change denier but argues the issue has been treated too seriously and money invested in counteracting climate change has mostly been wasted. He’s an advocate of reducing foreign aid spending on climate projects and argues developing countries need access to cheap fossil fuels.