HUNTERS BLAMED, YET AGAIN

I received a call early this fine morn (Tuesday, March 4th, 2014), from my local ABC studios (ABC South East NSW), requesting comment on an incident involving a macropod (an Eastern Grey kangaroo) reported to be hopping around in distress, an arrow still lodged through its leg. The incident took place at or near Mogo (Batemans Bay area) on the NSW south coast. 

Arrow-shot macropod - Mogo NSW
(photo: WIRES)

I was given 5 minutes to prepare to respond to an interview with Mr Justin McKee (WIRES et al), and despite the short notice and the fact that I’d not seen any information about the incident, I agreed to respond rather than allow Mr McKee's rampantly bias non-sequiturs to occupy the airwaves unchallenged.

I was able to peruse the WIRES (Mr McKee’s) media release and accompanying photos that had got the ABC’s dander up, only as the interview went to air, so prep time was zero and I was forced to analyse a pittance of available information as I responded. Not an excuse, people, just a fact. 

I must say it was clear from the outset that the ABC’s presenter had made-up his mind that nasty hunters in state forests were the culprits. His line of questioning and his attitude toward Mr McKee, as opposed to his approach to me, was, in my view, indicative of an ambush and no matter how valid there is little one can do to make one’s points when the kill-switch is on a desk at the other end of the phone line. 

But I had a crack at making one or two points nonetheless, specifically that it is grossly irresponsible for anyone, be he a wildlife rescuer or an ABC radio presenter, to make assertions and accusations without a single shred of supporting evidence. 

Arrow clearly an off-the-shelf target arrow. Note penetration wound also suggests target arrow
(photo: WIRES)

I think it's fair to say that the ABC didn't appreciate me making that point, and honestly, when all's said and done, how well I got the point across is, well......? 

The interview can be found below, and I must say that the way the ABC has chosen to trivialise the event with their "...or just a naughty boy" title of the segment is yet more evidence that the ABC will, if given the opportunity, do anything it can to misrepresent responsible hunters.

At no time did I suggest that I believed the crime or the plight of the kangaroo should be downplayed or trivialised as the tenor of this 'headline' clearly suggests. The event should not have taken place, period, but the fact that it did is evidence only of the need for education. That is the solution, not the ABC's or WIRES' brand of vilification based on fantastical scenarios produced by vivid, if clearly limited imaginations. 

Zero points for ethics and professionalism in the instance, Aunty...perhaps even minus a point or two? As for MrMcKee's performance, well, it's hard to be disappointed with a self-serving and entirely predictable inevitability. You be the judge.

In closing I can only reiterate that I am very glad that neither Mr McKee nor Aunty ABC are charged with the weighty responsibility of jury selection, given that the presumption of innocence preceding proof of guilt is anathema to them both. 

You can listen to the interview here.

Anyway, I'll get outaya way now....

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