http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-11/anu-releases-abusive-emails-sent-to-climat...FOI emails reveal threats to climate scientists
By Clarissa Thorpe and Ben Atherton
Updated May 11, 2012 10:59:02
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The Australian National University has released a series of abusive and threatening emails which were sent to its climate change scientists.
The 11 emails to members of the university's Climate Change Institute have been made public after a Freedom of Information request.
ANU management initially turned down the FOI request to release them, fearing it would lead to increased harassment.
But they have now been released with the names and email addresses removed after an intervention by the privacy commissioner.
One email, dated June 2, 2010, describes a threat to use a gun against an academic because a conference participant reportedly disagreed with the climate change research.
"Looks like we've had our first serious threat of physical violence," it says.
"It has come from a participant in [DELETED] deliberative democracy project last weekend. One of the participants left early after he too [sic] exception to my talk about climate science. [DELETED] exact words were: 'Moreover, before he left, he came to the Fri dinner and showed other participants his gun licence and explained to them how good a sniper he is'."
The email notes that "I will be notifying security in case he turns up and causes a problem" and says the university's head of security will be asked to determine whether the case should be referred to the Australian Federal Police.
It concludes: "But in the meantime, we should be careful about anyone we don't know who approaches our offices."
Another email, dated May 24, 2011, says: "How do you people sleep at night, you and that old idiot . They pay you thousands to feed us ordinary hard working normal folk bullshit. You come from well to do families who have never earned or done an honest days work in your life. You overpaid over educated parasite. Get a real job and pay your dues you leech."
In a statement, the ANU said: "ANU has a duty of care to its staff and students and we note the finding of the Privacy Commissioner: 'In my view there is a risk that the release of the documents could lead to further insulting or offensive communication being directed at ANU personnel...'
"However we have chosen not to appeal the decision of the Commissioner and are releasing the documents with information removed that would identify those sending or receiving the emails, as per the Commissioner’s decision."
ANU vice-chancellor Ian Young said the Climate Change Institute scientists were moved to more secure offices on campus in the wake of the threats.
"The individual people were concerned about their safety, and the university as an employer decided we needed to respond to that," he said.
"My view is the more we discuss these things in public - these are emotive issues - the more you tend to beat the whole issue up.
"We had issues, we dealt with them we believe in an appropriate way, and we don't want to make more of it than that."
Topics: university-and-further-education, climate-change, act, canberra-2600
First posted May 11, 2012 09:06:07
I feel I can now throw some light on the matter. The document viewed as most “threatening” referred to an alleged Deliberation at the ANU about climate change in the Canberra region at which one person “made a death threat” (sic) by showing his gun licence and boasting about his skill as a sniper.. Only two people dropped out of the conference only one of those who did so attended the even meal. Me. I am certainly the one who is alleged to show someone their gun licence. That is not true while at the evening meal (of poor quality) comments moved to eating game meat and I was approached by the Commissioner for the Environment ACT, Dr Maxine Cooper who recognized me as someone involved in the kangaroo culling program in the ACT. She politely asked if she could sit at the vacant seat next to me and asked if I had past the recent licence test – not easy. I replied yes and showed her my current licence. I also impressed on any one interested the high standard of marksmanship necessary to allay any cruelty concerns. I might add that earlier in the day I had challenged two speakers to comment on a letter in the Canberra Times that claimed that temperatures had not increased in the Canberra area for decades. They were unable to do so, having not apparently checked the record despite the the “Deliberation” (conference) supposed to be about rising temperatures in the Canberra region. As all daytime conversations were recorded (we all signed waivers to allow this) this can easily be checked.
I note Readfearn has commented on the “death threat at the conference” in Crikey ,com. He got one thing right I did leave of my own accord. When meal had finished and a piss poor meal it was.
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