The science broadcaster Karl Kruszelnicki has pledged to donate his appearance earnings from an advertising campaign on the intergenerational report to “needy government schools”.
Kruszelnicki, better known as Dr Karl, this week expressed regret over his role in the ad campaign. He said he agreed to take part because he thought the report would be “non-political, bipartisan [and] independent”.
Kruszelnicki announced his decision on Twitter on Wednesday night.
I have decided to donate any moneys received from the IGR campaign to needy Government schools. More to follow tomorrow. Dr Karl.
— Dr Karl (@DoctorKarl) April 15, 2015
The scientist, who was a candidate for the Climate Change Coalition in the 2007 federal election, has been criticised on social media for appearing in the ad.
“Hate emails, hate Twitters [sic]. A small percentage of people have seen me as saying vote for this political party or that one, which I am not doing at all,” Kruszelnicki told ABC Radio on Wednesday.
“I did it on the grounds that it would be not for any political party but for the government of Australia as a non-political, bipartisan, independent report.”
He said he regretted not insisting that climate change be included in the report if he was to promote it.
Kruszelnicki has not revealed how much he was paid for the ad, nor has the government confirmed how much was spent on producing it.
Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen criticised the treasurer over the ads.
“Joe Hockey has repeatedly refused to say how much taxpayers have been charged for the television, online and outdoor ads rolled out across Australia. With the public face of these ads having completely disavowed the report, the treasurer has no basis for continuing them,” he said.
“Joe Hockey should call off his million-dollar ad campaign and follow Dr Karl’s example. Whether it goes to schools, hospitals or pensions, there are literally hundreds of ways taxpayer money could be better spent than on promoting his politicised [intergenerational report].”
