University of Newcastle has distanced itself from Emeritus Professor Robert Clancy, the immunologist whose analysis of COVID-19 treatments has been used to justify the controversial views of Liberal MP Craig Kelly.
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Mr Kelly argued on camera with Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek over his stance on COVID-19 in a corridor at Parliament House on Wednesday morning, earning a quick rebuke from Scott Morrison.
The MP for Hughes in southern Sydney has used the work of Professor Clancy to back his views in the party room and on social media, where he has 91,000 followers.
On Tuesday night, he posted a picture of Professor Clancy on Facebook with a quote from the researcher backing Mr Kelly's claims about the drugs hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin.
Professor Clancy supports using the drugs as an early, pre-hospital treatment for COVID-19 patients, arguing they can "fill a void and will save lives" until more effective drugs are developed.
Australia's chief medical officer, Professor Paul Kelly, said in January that the latest research did not support the drugs' use in preventing or treating COVID-19, a view Mr Kelly described as "one the most costly and most deadliest lies in history".
Newcastle vice-chancellor Alex Zelinsky said on Wednesday that the university respected freedom of speech but "Robert Professor Clancy is not speaking on behalf of the University of Newcastle when offering his opinion on this issue".
"The university has not funded his research since 2009 and he retired in 2013," Professor Zelinsky said.
"The university does not consider Robert Clancy a subject matter expert on COVID-19.
"Our researchers are expected to adhere to strict scientific standards in providing opinions on matters of public interest."
Mr Kelly's Facebook post was shared more than 1000 times. Many of the 803 comments on the post connected the claims about the drugs with conspiracy theories and distrust over vaccines.
Professor Clancy wrote in Quadrant magazine last month that Australia should strive for "90 per cent vaccination" and "dissention and argument over 'false news' undermines this endeavour".
The way Mr Kelly, who also spreads anti-climate change opinions, has used the professor's views on treatments has apparently undermined that message.
University of Newcastle public health physician Dr Craig Dalton said Professor Clancy's Quadrant article "omits important studies that do not support his argument".
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Michael Parris
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
