Science and secrecy are two words that rarely go well together. Yet remarkably, our peak scientific institution, the Australian Academy of Science is deliberately engaging in secrecy, aided and abetted by the Australian National University. Transparency Warrior Rex Patrick tells the story.
Former Liberal leaders sign open letter in support of university’s decision to divest from a number of fossil fuel companies
“We cannot understand why a government that is committed to deregulating the university sector would question the ability of a university to make investment decisions,” the letter says.
The university has announced its offloading holdings in Iluka Resources, Independence Group, Newcrest Mining, Sandfire Resources, Oil Search, Santos and Sirius Resources for ethical reasons.
The decision represents 1% of the university’s total investment holdings.
Treasurer Joe Hockey and education minister Christopher Pyne have criticised the move.
Hewson warned against bullying from vested interests.
“The mining industry has bought this government like it bought the last one,” Hewson told ABC Radio.
The Liberal party was supposed to stand for freedom and individual choice.
“It’s a totally unjustified intervention by government,” he said.
“If I was a superannuation fund manager I would wonder how long it would be before they start instructing us where we should invest our money.”
“For one of [our] leading research institutions to come out and publicly attack them, with no opportunity to respond, does seem not just bizarre, but is quite outrageous behaviour and of course the Government is watching this.”
Minister not just one but the best of our universities. It’s so far in advance of where you came from, Adelaide. It has made a 5% portfolio change and your throwing fuel on what was a damp match. Do you deserve your position Minister? Your Party obviously doesn’t operate as a team or you would have shut the wannabe heard,Jamie BriggsMP down, oops!!
Reputational problems only exist when things are fueled and sure enough between you and Briggs that is now burning. But what a coincidence this is going to be put down to Joe. It is Joe’s fault. Shit his autobiography did create a stir didn’t it so much so he seems as popular as Peter Slipper now. Tony really does want Joe Hockey politically dead.
“A university like ANU invests its funds for the betterment of its stakeholders, our staff, our students, our alumni,” Professor Young said
“Just a like a super fund needs to respond to what its investors want, a university like ours needs to respond to those stakeholders.”
“We actually developed a socially responsible investment policy, modelled on the policy of Stamford University, one of the leaders in this area,” he said.
This is one of the universities you modeled the current changes on. Andrew Bolt seriously hates these subsidized institutions filled and run by the Socialist Left he wants to be on the board as he never made it past first year.
Professor Young said the university had been overwhelmed by the positive response from the community on its new investment policy.
“It’s been very eye opening for me to see the volume of support that the university as received from people right across the country,” he said.
Student group Fossil Free ANU were supportive of the policy, but urged the vice-chancellor to go further by committing to full fossil fuel divestment.
olddogthoughts 