The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science at the University of NSW will today host a lecture by controversial coal seam gas company Eastern Star Gas (ESG). UNSW students, with The Wilderness Society, are organising a protest outside the lecture to oppose ESG’s plans to put gas wells through the Pilliga Scrub and to question the extent of financial support between ESG and UNSW which may impact the university’s independence.
Greens Senator and higher education spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says, “It is disappointing to see an environmental science school at a public university seeming to endorse coal seam gas in the face of huge public concern about its impact on water and farm land.
“Dwindling public funding has forced universities to turn to fee paying students and private corporations for a financial boost. Close corporate relationships inevitably put a question mark over whether money is provided in return for access to students or other favourable treatment.
“Eastern Star Gas has supported as least one PHD in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science.
Lee Rhiannon
Greens Senator in NSW
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