The Australian Greens Party has accused the Waubra Foundation, an organisation claiming to be a health promotion charity funded primarily by tax-deductible donations, of spreading misinformation about the health impacts from wind energy. The party has also suggested the Foundation has possible links to oil industry.
There are currently more than 100 wind turbines in Waubra, a small north-western town in Victoria, which is home to around 500 residents.
Waubra Foundation’s chief executive officer Sarah Laurie travels the country, discussing the alleged health issues caused by wind turbine technology.
However, the Greens have said there is no credible scientific or medical research that supports the existence of wind turbine syndrome. As such, Waubra Foundation’s collection of donations under the premise of a health promotion charity is unmerited.
Greens Senator Richard di Natale said the contribution the community is making to the Waubra Foundation is significant.
“[The organisation] being granted status as a health charity means that they are the beneficiary of enormous public subsidies,” he said, as reported by ABC News.
“Those public subsidies are being used to spread misinformation about wind energy and its health impacts.”
Senator di Natale has lodged a complaint with the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commissioner, calling for urgent action – including investigation to determine any links between oil, gas and uranium companies and the Foundation.
“We’ve got grave concerns that money that’s being donated to the Waubra Foundation on the basis of them being a health charity is being used to fight against wind developments right around the country,” Senator di Natale said.
