Fed: Greens question if scientist has conflict of interest

00-00-0000
Fed: Greens question if scientist has conflict of interest

CANBERRA, Dec 11 AAP - The Greens today questioned whether government chief scientistDr Robin Batterham has a conflict of interest over energy funding.

Greens Senator Bob Brown said the government had stopped funding to the CooperativeResearch Centre (CRC) for Renewable Energy, which specialises in solar power innovation,but increased funding to the mining industry by $68.5 million.

He said the major beneficiary was mining giant Rio Tinto, which receives $35 milliontowards a sustainable minerals industry foundation.

Senator Brown said Dr Batterham had a long association with Rio Tinto.

"On the face of it it seems wrong that the chief scientist is also the chief technologistwith a huge mining company," he said on ABC radio.

"He has been with that mining company for 14 years when it is the mining industry thatis not just getting the lion's share but has got the whole of the allocation which hasbeen announced in this round of funding."

Senator Brown said the government was starving the renewable energy sector of researchand development funds.

He said the renewable energy CRC only cost $10 million over the last seven years buthad produced great results.

"On the other hand $68.5 million has gone to four CRCs to advance the mining industry," he said.

Science Minister Peter McGauran said there was no conflict of interest.

"Dr Robin Batterham is an extraordinarily admired and respected chief scientists acrossall sectors," he told ABC radio.

"I would like Bob Brown to make any criticism....to any scientific gathering and seetheir reaction.

"It is an incredible and almost unbelievable allegation."

Mr McGauran said the mining and energy sector could not be ignored.

"We have to make it more environmentally sustainable," he said

"They were applications decided through an entirely independent and transparent process."

Opposition environment spokesman Kelvin Thomson said the government had its priorities wrong.

"A few years ago it shut down the energy research and development corporation," he said.

"The greenhouse office has now exhausted its funds for supporting renewables. We hadPacific Solar forced to lay off its research and development team last week."

AAP mb/sp

KEYWORD: RESEARCH DAYLEAD