Crocodile Man Cleared
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/01/22/1074360866788.html
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Irwin cleared over croc incident
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland will take no action against Steve Irwin over his feeding of a crocodile while holding his one-month-old son.
The incident on January 2 at the Crocodile Hunter's Australia Zoo at Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast sparked widespread outrage and criticism.
A spokeswoman for Industrial Relations Minister Gordon Nuttall said Workplace Health and Safety officers have conducted interviews and sought legal advice over the incident.
"There will be no investigation ... due to a lack of evidence," she said.
"There were safety controls in place at all times.
"There was nothing to suggest that the child was not in Mr Irwin's control at all times."
Irwin fed a dead chicken to the four-metre crocodile called Murray while clutching his son, Bob, in his other arm during a packed show at his park.
At the time his wife Terri looked on as Irwin told the crowd: "He's a one-month-old so it's about time Bob got out there and did his first croc demo."
The demonstration drew sharp reaction overseas, including in the United States, where Irwin has long enjoyed a cult following.
Child welfare groups and concerned members of the public criticised Irwin for recklessly endangering his son.
He was reprimanded by the Queensland's Department of Family Services and spoken to by police.
But at the time Irwin told journalists it was important to teach his son about danger.
"If I had the time again maybe I would do it differently," Irwin said after the incident.
"But it's all about perceived danger ... I was in complete control."
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland will take no action against Steve Irwin over his feeding of a crocodile while holding his one-month-old son.
The incident on January 2 at the Crocodile Hunter's Australia Zoo at Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast sparked widespread outrage and criticism.
A spokeswoman for Industrial Relations Minister Gordon Nuttall said Workplace Health and Safety officers have conducted interviews and sought legal advice over the incident.
"There will be no investigation ... due to a lack of evidence," she said.
"There were safety controls in place at all times.
"There was nothing to suggest that the child was not in Mr Irwin's control at all times."
Irwin fed a dead chicken to the four-metre crocodile called Murray while clutching his son, Bob, in his other arm during a packed show at his park.
At the time his wife Terri looked on as Irwin told the crowd: "He's a one-month-old so it's about time Bob got out there and did his first croc demo."
The demonstration drew sharp reaction overseas, including in the United States, where Irwin has long enjoyed a cult following.
Child welfare groups and concerned members of the public criticised Irwin for recklessly endangering his son.
He was reprimanded by the Queensland's Department of Family Services and spoken to by police.
But at the time Irwin told journalists it was important to teach his son about danger.
"If I had the time again maybe I would do it differently," Irwin said after the incident.
"But it's all about perceived danger ... I was in complete control."
