Reply #31: He's apolitical and he admits it here... [View All]

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2003/s982212.htm

Steve Irwin defends quarantine ad
PM - Tuesday, 4 November , 2003 18:42:00
Reporter: Louise Willis

MARK COLVIN: The 'crocodile-hunter', Steve Irwin, has declared himself good value for money, after revelations that he got $175,000 worth of taxpayers' money to appear in a television advertisement. The Federal Government paid Irwin for one day's filming for the quarantine commercials.
The Labor Party's Agriculture Spokesman Kerry O'Brien is now asking whether the deal prompted Steve Irwin's recent declaration that John Howard was the greatest leader Australia had ever had.
But Steve Irwin denies he's in the Government's pocket, and points out that he used his fee to help protect endangered animals.
The khaki-clad adventurer spoke to Louise Willis in Brisbane.

<snip>
LOUISE WILLIS: Is there a link between you doing these ads and the fact that you've been praising John Howard recently?

STEVE IRWIN: No. That's the craziest thing I've ever heard – absolutely no link. That's like asking if an eagle can mate with a budgerigar.

I think what's happened… here's what's happened – I love John Howard, and that's the way I am. So everyone thinks I'm, like, this die-hard Liberal supporter. I'm not! I'm not. I'm sitting on the fence, mate, I'm a conservationist. I can't afford to be one way or the other. I just have to run straight up the middle, mate. I have to get on with whoever's in power.

And to tell you the truth, the best speech that popped up in Parliament House when George Bush was here was Simon Crean. Here's a bloke who actually disagreed with Iraq, okay, so he put forward the most eloquent speech, which really boosted his profile in my eyes. By crikey, I thought, Simon did the best one there, which is fantastic. So I appreciate good work when I see it, and that's all it is.

But what's behind this – the motivating factor is the Labor guys like Kerry unfortunately they think that I'm some staunch Liberal supporter and there's some deals going on, well, there isn't. I mean, he's missed the mark.
<snip>
STEVE IRWIN: I was invited to the George Bush barbecue just like John Eales and Lleyton Hewitt because I'm an Australian who's out there, who's achieving conservation, probably greater than any other Australian currently. And George Bush loved Croc Hunter, you know? He said, wow, it's really good to meet you, you're a great conservationist, keep up the good work, and stuff.
<snip>