Statement made on 18 June 2012 by Senator Grant Mitchell
Hon. Grant Mitchell:
I do not mean to break the mood, honourable senators, but back to the question of priorities and the fact is that the government is putting $30 million into glorifying war through its War of 1812 project. However, it is getting $2 million of that money by closing down the Experimental Lakes Area program, a unique internationally renowned outdoor laboratory for ecosystem research. Scientist John Smol from Queen's University said:
Some countries have large particle accelerators. We have the Experimental Lakes Area.
For $2 million of the $30 million that is going into the War of 1812 project, we are losing this remarkable resource. Has anyone in this government done a cost-benefit analysis to see if forfeiting $2 million in favour of $30 million for the War of 1812 project will pay off? Will we make up the high-level intellectual jobs, the internationally renowned contribution we can make to eco-study, or will we just throw the money away on the glorification of a war that is 200 years old?
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