Boss of NRL club that cancelled Welcome to Country linked to lobby group that opposes ritual
Melbourne Storm has blamed a misunderstanding between the board and management for cancelling a Welcome to Country at its Anzac Day NRL match. However, questions have been raised by the fact that the club's director Brett Ralph is a significant donor to Advance, a lobby group campaigning to end the ritual. took place before the game between Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs on Friday evening but without a Welcome to Country, which left an Aboriginal elder "in shock". Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin said she was informed on Friday afternoon by the club she was no longer required to address the crowd at AAMI Park before the match. "After our final rehearsal we were approached by Melbourne Storm CEO Justin Rodski saying … the Board doesn't feel comfortable having a Welcome to Country because of what happened in regards to the booing of Uncle Mark Brown at the ANZAC Dawn Service," the Djirri Djirri dancers and Aunty Joy said in a statement. "We were in shock and disbelief."
Aunty Joy, who has performed the Welcome to Country at Melbourne events for years, said the Storm then reversed its position, apologised, and asked her to continue with her ceremony as originally planned. Two First Nations groups were also scheduled to perform, but after the confusion they all decided to cancel their performances. "We strongly regard this as being totally tokenistic and goes completely against their journey of reconciliation and we feel very disrespected," the statement read.
"What we do isn't a performance, it's a cultural ceremony and protocol. We strongly feel this action taken by Melbourne Storm was unnecessary and has caused us hurt and disbelief in what we thought was a good relationship. "This should be a time for us all to stand together with remembrance and respect." Aunty Joy added that she had wanted to honour her father Sapper James Henry Wandin who fought for Australia in World War One.
Storm Chairman Matt Tripp on Sunday released a statement blaming the cancellation on a "miscommunication of expectations regarding the use of Welcome to Country at Melbourne Storm events" between the club's board and management. He said that the board "were not aware" that a Welcome to Country was to be performed at Friday's game. "We had agreed at the start of the year that a Welcome to Country would be delivered at multicultural round and Indigenous Round and would always have an Acknowledgement of Country when appropriate," Tripp said.
But he said that, once the board received details of programming from management, they "gave the green light to progress". "By then, it was understandably too late for those who had already been informed of our earlier decision," he added. "I know there were some disappointed groups and individuals involved and we apologise for the misunderstanding and will be meeting with them to clear this up."
The group also lobbies against Welcomes to Country ceremonies, saying they are divisive and a waste of taxpayers' money. "Make no mistake: What started as a simple gesture has turned into a full-blown activist-led push to attack Australia's history and its values," the group says on an online page titled It's Time to Stop Welcome to Country. "Its purpose is to make you feel unwelcome in your own country."
Ralph's company JMR Management Consultancy Services gave $50,000 to Advance during the 2023-2024 financial year, Australian Electoral Commission disclosures show. The NRL club offered no comment on Ralph's support of the lobby group on Sunday. Advance also refused to comment on individual donors, but on Sunday said an Anzac Day commemoration was "no place" for Welcomes to Country. "This day should be about what unites us, not what divides us," an Advance spokesman told SBS News.
"It is the day for all Australians to stand proudly with our Anzacs, our veterans and our service men and women." More than 52,000 Australians have signed Advance's petition calling on Anthony Albanese to stop using taxpayer money to pay for Welcomes to Country. Advance, formerly known as Advance Australia, is a conservative political lobbying group launched in 2018 that targets everyday Australians but is financed by high-profile businesspeople like Ralph. Both the prime minister and opposition leader condemned the behaviour of right-wing extremists at the Friday dawn service. Visit the to access articles, podcasts and videos from SBS News, NITV and our teams covering more than 60 languages.
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West Australian
20 hours ago
- West Australian
King's Birthday 2025 Meritorious Honours List
THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENTS AND AWARDS AS PART OF THE 2025 KING'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST: PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY) Ms Philippa Jane BROWN Mawson ACT 2607 For outstanding public service in fiscal policy leadership. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE) Ms Bina CHANDRA ACT For outstanding public service in the delivery of property outcomes, both nationally and internationally. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS) Ms Robin EDMONDS ACT For outstanding public service for the co-founding of the Australian Public Sector Neurodiversity Community of Practice. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND AGED CARE) Dr Bridget GILMOUR-WALSH ACT For outstanding public service in the development of new legislative regulation on vapes. 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PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF FAMILIES, FAIRNESS AND HOUSING) Ms Rachael GREEN For outstanding public service in family violence, sexual assault, and women's safety reforms. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF JOBS, SKILLS, INDUSTRY AND REGIONS) Ms Lisa (Lill) HEALY For outstanding public service in enhancing access to quality vocational training and employment. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (WAGE INSPECTORATE VICTORIA) Mr Robert John HORTLE VIC For outstanding public service in industrial relations, workplace regulation, and fair employment practices. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF FAMILIES, FAIRNESS AND HOUSING) Mr Dean Micheal LEE For outstanding public service in the oversight and management of the Shrine of Remembrance. Ms Peta MCCAMMON VIC For outstanding public service in reforms in disability services and family violence prevention. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (CORRECTIONS VICTORIA (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY SAFETY)) Ms Marlene Kay MORISON VIC For outstanding public service in improving outcomes for people in custody and offenders in the community. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY SAFETY (VICTORIA)) Ms Lisa Jacqueline SAXTON VIC For outstanding public service in enhancing governance, integrity and reforms in the Victorian racing industry. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY-GENERAL (QUEENSLAND)) Mr Peter Apostolos DELIBALTAS Ormiston QLD 4160 For outstanding public service in the delivery and access to legal services for disadvantaged Queenslanders. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (QUEENSLAND HEALTH) Associate Professor Carol Mary DOUGLAS QLD For outstanding public service in palliative medicine. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY-GENERAL (QUEENSLAND)) Mr Nigel Alexander MILLER QLD For outstanding public service to child protection litigation in Queensland. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (QUILPIE SHIRE COUNCIL) Mr Peter Allen SEE Warwick QLD 4370 For outstanding public service to infrastructure and local government in Queensland. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF CUSTOMER SERVICES, OPEN DATA AND SMALL AND FAMILY BUSINESS) Mr Andrew John SPINA QLD For outstanding public service to innovation in digital and service delivery in Queensland. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (SA HEALTH) Dr Paul Terence DIGNAM SA For outstanding public service in SA Health as a consultant psychiatrist. Dr Lawrence Robert PALMER SA For outstanding public service in Palliative Medicine Associate Professor Catherine Margaret SWETENHAM SA For outstanding public service in end of life care. AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE) Assistant Commissioner Peter Barrington CROZIER Detective Leading Senior Constable Kylie Andrea HEMIAK AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE FORCE) Inspector Charles Francis AGIUS Inspector Andrew James BRADY Detective Chief Inspector Sotirios COURCOULOS Detective Superintendent Matthew Ross CRAFT Superintendent Shane Paul CRIBB Superintendent Paul Raymond DUNSTAN Detective Inspector Mardi Ann FORSYTH Sergeant Sean Barry MCDOWELL Detective Sergeant Craig Arthur RYAN AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (VICTORIA POLICE) Superintendent Gregory James BARRAS Superintendent Sharon Maree MCCRORY Sergeant Joanna Maree PARISSIS Senior Sergeant Helmut PIMPERL Inspector Lisa Jane PRENTICE-EVANS AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE) Inspector Peter Daniel DOYLE Senior Sergeant Ewan Gordon FINDLATER Senior Sergeant Kirsty Maree GLEESON Detective Inspector Christopher Paul KNIGHT Detective Inspector David Jeffrey NIXON Sergeant David John REID Sergeant Sarah-Jane TULACZ AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (WESTERN AUSTRALIA POLICE FORCE) Commander Martin HAIME Detective Senior Sergeant Gregory Alan MCDONALD Senior Aboriginal Police Liaison Officer Ian Jeffery TULLOCK Detective Senior Sergeant Katharine Ann VENN AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (SOUTH AUSTRALIA POLICE) Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Lee HUGHES Assistant Commissioner Ian Edward PARROTT Superintendent Craig Stephen WALL AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (TASMANIA POLICE) Commander Stephen Maxwell BURK AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE FORCE) Commander Daniel Thomas BACON AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE) Mr Andrew Anthony CAMERON Arcadia NSW 2159 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (FIRE AND RESCUE NSW) Mr Edwin John GRAY Tenterfield NSW 2372 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE) Mr Wayne Charles HALLIDAY Sandy Flat NSW 2372 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (FIRE AND RESCUE NSW) Mr Steven John HAYES AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (NSW 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Mr Andrew Paul WATERSON Newport VIC 3015 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (QUEENSLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT) Miss Paula Jane DOUGLAS QLD Mr Matthew Edmund INWOOD Mooloolaba QLD 4557 Mr Ricky Philip MAY QLD Mr Errol Leslie NOYE Turkey Beach QLD 4678 Mr Gregory Konrad TOMAN QLD AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)) Mr Philip Thomas BRANDRETT Bridgetown WA 6255 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE ASSOCIATION OF WA) Mrs Simone Tracey CONKLIN WA Mr Anthony William DODD WA AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF WA) Mr Ian Ross MACGREGOR Toodyay WA 6566 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)) Assistant Commissioner Danny Steven MOSCONI Palmyra WA 6157 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (SOUTH AUSTRALIAN METROPOLITAN FIRE SERVICE) Mr Gideon James DOUGLAS Balhannah SA 5242 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (SOUTH AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY FIRE 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(SOUTH AUSTRALIAN STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE) Mr Scott Michael ANDERSON Renmark SA 5341 Mr Roberto Carlo GRANDE SA EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL (ACT STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE) Ms Julia Joanna ROZYCKA ACT EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL (NORTHERN TERRITORY EMERGENCY SERVICE) Ms Fleur De May O'CONNOR NT AUSTRALIAN CORRECTIONS MEDAL (CORRECTIVE SERVICES NSW (DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITIES AND JUSTICE)) Mr Matthew James BURGESS Ms Claire Louise GRUNDY Ms Melanie MUNRIGHT Mr Joseph WALKER AUSTRALIAN CORRECTIONS MEDAL (CORRECTIONS VICTORIA (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY SAFETY)) Mr Gavin Roy BLAIR Mr Colin KENDALL Miss Rebecca Elizabeth WARBURTON AUSTRALIAN CORRECTIONS MEDAL (QUEENSLAND CORRECTIVE SERVICES) Ms Shannon Lesley ATKINS Mr Stuart Russell MCHAFFIE Mr Patrick David RALPH AUSTRALIAN CORRECTIONS MEDAL (G4S) Mr David Allan BRIDGES AUSTRALIAN CORRECTIONS MEDAL (NORTHERN TERRITORY CORRECTIONAL SERVICES) Mr David GORDON
Perth Now
20 hours ago
- Perth Now
King's Birthday 2025 Meritorious Honours List
THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENTS AND AWARDS AS PART OF THE 2025 KING'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST: PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY) Ms Philippa Jane BROWN Mawson ACT 2607 For outstanding public service in fiscal policy leadership. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE) Ms Bina CHANDRA ACT For outstanding public service in the delivery of property outcomes, both nationally and internationally. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS) Ms Robin EDMONDS ACT For outstanding public service for the co-founding of the Australian Public Sector Neurodiversity Community of Practice. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND AGED CARE) Dr Bridget GILMOUR-WALSH ACT For outstanding public service in the development of new legislative regulation on vapes. 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AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE) Assistant Commissioner Peter Barrington CROZIER Detective Leading Senior Constable Kylie Andrea HEMIAK AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE FORCE) Inspector Charles Francis AGIUS Inspector Andrew James BRADY Detective Chief Inspector Sotirios COURCOULOS Detective Superintendent Matthew Ross CRAFT Superintendent Shane Paul CRIBB Superintendent Paul Raymond DUNSTAN Detective Inspector Mardi Ann FORSYTH Sergeant Sean Barry MCDOWELL Detective Sergeant Craig Arthur RYAN AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (VICTORIA POLICE) Superintendent Gregory James BARRAS Superintendent Sharon Maree MCCRORY Sergeant Joanna Maree PARISSIS Senior Sergeant Helmut PIMPERL Inspector Lisa Jane PRENTICE-EVANS AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE) Inspector Peter Daniel DOYLE Senior Sergeant Ewan Gordon FINDLATER Senior Sergeant Kirsty Maree GLEESON Detective Inspector Christopher Paul KNIGHT Detective Inspector David Jeffrey NIXON Sergeant David John REID Sergeant Sarah-Jane TULACZ AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (WESTERN AUSTRALIA POLICE FORCE) Commander Martin HAIME Detective Senior Sergeant Gregory Alan MCDONALD Senior Aboriginal Police Liaison Officer Ian Jeffery TULLOCK Detective Senior Sergeant Katharine Ann VENN AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (SOUTH AUSTRALIA POLICE) Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Lee HUGHES Assistant Commissioner Ian Edward PARROTT Superintendent Craig Stephen WALL AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (TASMANIA POLICE) Commander Stephen Maxwell BURK AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE FORCE) Commander Daniel Thomas BACON AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE) Mr Andrew Anthony CAMERON Arcadia NSW 2159 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (FIRE AND RESCUE NSW) Mr Edwin John GRAY Tenterfield NSW 2372 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE) Mr Wayne Charles HALLIDAY Sandy Flat NSW 2372 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (FIRE AND RESCUE NSW) Mr Steven John HAYES AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE) Mr Philip Michael HURST Kurrajong Heights NSW 2758 Mr Mark LEWIS Mr John Douglas NARDI Coorabell NSW 2479 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (FIRE AND RESCUE NSW) Mr Mark David PORTER AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (NSW NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT)) Mr Anthony David PRIOR Bellingen NSW 2454 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE) Mr Neil Edward SHEPHERD NSW Mr Andrew David SOUTHWELL Rye Park NSW 2586 Mr Andrew Graeme SWEENEY NSW Mr Stephen Robert WALKER Mildura VIC 3500 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY OF VICTORIA) Mr Colin James BROWN Warrandyte VIC 3113 Mrs Sharon Ann KENNELLY-MERRITT Macclesfield VIC 3782 Mr Peter Damien LANGRIDGE Montrose VIC 3765 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (FIRE RESCUE VICTORIA) Mr Shaun Patrick LAWLOR Lima VIC 3673 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY OF VICTORIA) Mr Anthony Carmel SCICLUNA VIC AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (FIRE RESCUE VICTORIA) Mr Andrew Paul WATERSON Newport VIC 3015 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (QUEENSLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT) Miss Paula Jane DOUGLAS QLD Mr Matthew Edmund INWOOD Mooloolaba QLD 4557 Mr Ricky Philip MAY QLD Mr Errol Leslie NOYE Turkey Beach QLD 4678 Mr Gregory Konrad TOMAN QLD AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)) Mr Philip Thomas BRANDRETT Bridgetown WA 6255 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE ASSOCIATION OF WA) Mrs Simone Tracey CONKLIN WA Mr Anthony William DODD WA AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF WA) Mr Ian Ross MACGREGOR Toodyay WA 6566 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)) Assistant Commissioner Danny Steven MOSCONI Palmyra WA 6157 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (SOUTH AUSTRALIAN METROPOLITAN FIRE SERVICE) Mr Gideon James DOUGLAS Balhannah SA 5242 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (SOUTH AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY FIRE SERVICE) Mr Gregory Robert JAMES Balhannah SA 5242 Mr Gordon James SANDFORD St Agnes SA 5097 Mr John Robert WRIGHT Greenhill SA 5140 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (ACT RURAL FIRE SERVICE) Mr Robert Ian GORE ACT AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (NORTHERN TERRITORY FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE) Mr James Joseph BROMLEY AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (BUSHFIRES NT (DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, PARKS AND WATER SECURITY)) Ms Lee Ann HUMPHRIS NT AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL (NSW AMBULANCE) Ms Shireen DOYLE NSW Mr Michael Charles RICHER Frenchs Forest NSW 2086 AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL (QUEENSLAND AMBULANCE SERVICE) Mr Patrick William BROWN Ingham QLD 4850 Mr Peter Ashley HERON Ayr QLD 4807 Mr Wayne Errol KIRK Boonah QLD 4310 Mr Ian Thomas TARR QLD AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL (ST JOHN AMBULANCE WESTERN AUSTRALIA) Mr Shane John TOOVEY Ballajura WA 6066 AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL (SA AMBULANCE SERVICE) Ms Tracey BELLAMY Mount Barker SA 5251 Mr Leigh James NICOLSON Woodcroft SA 5162 AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL (ACT AMBULANCE 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West Australian
2 days ago
- West Australian
‘How would you know about crocodiles if you live in Brisbane?': Maverick MP Bob Katter lashes out at Terri Irwin
Maverick Queensland MP Bob Katter has hit back at Terri Irwin after she publicly criticised the Katter's Australian Party (KAP) latest bill to cull crocodiles in the north of the state. Mrs Irwin described the amended proposal as 'lazy and sloppy' earlier in the week and warned it would 'turn the clock back to the dark and destructive days prior to the 1970s'. The bill claims Queensland has seen a giant increase in crocodile numbers, which Terri Irwin disputes, as justification for removing and euthanising crocs found in 'populated' waterways, and enabling hunting safaris on Aboriginal-controlled land. However, on Friday Mr Katter hit back at the animal conservationist, questioning her knowledge of crocodile preservation in Australia. 'Mrs Irwin … said that I'm a dangerous person and it's the only time I've ever agreed with her in my life,' he said in a video posted to Facebook. 'She knows all about crocodiles … well that's rather fascinating for me because she lives in Brisbane and I work with the top crocodile handlers in the world I would argue. 'Versace and the other big fashion houses have huge crocodile farms here.' Mr Katter went on to explain that the best crocodile handlers in the world have 'always been here in Australia'. 'She knows all about it well …. I'm a bit fascinated by that … how would you know about crocodiles if you live in Brisbane?' he said while laughing. 'Oh that's right she's got them all locked up in a cage in Brisbane I'd forgotten about that.' But Mrs Irwin has earlier claimed the amended bill – which imagines currently croc-infested waterways being used recreationally – is 'reckless, ill-informed and dangerous on so many levels'. In a 14-page long submission, Irwin argued a false sense of security may be created by the proposals, which would actually increase crocodile-related deaths. 'The removal of crocodiles, either through trapping or culling, will instead increase the likelihood of crocodile attacks as people believe the lie that once a crocodile is removed from a waterway then there will be no crocodiles,' she wrote. 'Research has consistently shown that when a crocodile dies or is removed, then another crocodile immediately comes in to take over that territory. Because of this reality, the Bill will not eliminate or even greatly reduce the risk of crocodile attacks.' Irwin also disputed claims that crocodile numbers have dramatically increased, saying there is no Queensland data to confirm that and the bill's cited increase does not account for multiple sightings of the same croc. 'It is the Irwin family and Australia Zoo's belief that individual culling and relocation are not effective ways to manage crocodile/human coexistence; rather, research and educating people are the key,' she said. 'The best course of action is for people in crocodile territory to be 'Croc-wise', reduce risk wherever possible and take sensible steps to minimise human-crocodile interaction.' KAP MP Shane Knuth spoke about the bill at state parliament last month, stating North Queenslanders are 'angry about losing more of our recreational waterways to the increasing crocodile population'. 'The constant threat of attacks, recent deaths and near-death experiences are dramatically affecting North Queensland's outdoor lifestyle,' he said. 'We never had to worry about the threats of crocodiles in our recreational waterways and beaches until the last two decades.' Crocodiles are protected in Queensland and remain listed as vulnerable under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
