Cue Sad Trombone . . . W. Australian University Dumps Lomborg "Think" Tank Plan

[hatrack]

Danish political scientist Bjorn Lomborg has blamed "toxic politics, ad hominem attacks, and premature judgment" for the University of Western Australia's decision to pull out of his planned Australia Consensus Centre, which would have advised on the best ways to tackle the world's development challenges.

UWA vice-chancellor Paul Johnson said on Friday that he would return the $4 million funding for the think tank, which was announced last month, to the federal government. Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne said the government would establish the centre at an alternative location. "The government is committed to establishing the consensus methodology in Australia and to ensuring a wide range of views on issues are aired publicly," he said.

In a letter to staff, Professor Johnson said that it was "with great regret and disappointment" that he had come to the view that this was necessary.

Ed. -

He said that opposition from within the university and the broader academic community to the centre meant it would have lacked the support to do its work and deliver value for money to taxpayers.

EDIT

http://www.afr.com/news/policy/education/bjorn-lomborg-blames-toxic-politics-for-university-backdown-on-australia-consensus-centre-20150510-ggxt8y

[Buzz Clik]

1. Meh. Lomborg's center was to replace one that was being canned because of ....

..."toxic politics, ad hominem attacks, and premature judgment."

It sucks being bitten by that snake, eh Bjorn?