Port Arthur conspiracy theory still upsets Tasmanians
PRINT FRIENDLYEMAIL STORYThe World Today Archive - Thursday, 22 February , 2001 00:00:00
Reporter: Maura Angle
COMPERE: In Tasmania, and I guess in a lot of other parts of Australia, people are outraged that a connection is still being made between the jailed Martin Bryant and the so called conspiracy for the mass murders that committed.
As Maura Angle tells us in Launceston, it's reignited a debate which those affected want left well alone.
MAURA ANGLE: The conspiracy theories surrounding the Port Arthur tragedy have been around since the mass shooting shocked the world almost 5 years ago. They've resurfaced, and according to Ed Gouden from the Tasman Council, so have the feelings of despair for those affected by Martin Bryant.
ED GOUDEN: We just don't need this kind of rubbish to be brought up, and unsubstantiated claims to come out just for political gain. It's not appropriate, it's innacruate, and it should be nipped in the bud and not given any credibility at all.
MAURA ANGLE: Mr Gouden's not alone. The theories have been discounted by the Tasmanian Government, police and the man who prosecuted the case, Damian Bugg QC.
Martin Bryant's former lawyer, John Avery, is outraged as well.
JOHN AVERY: I think it brings it all up again, unfortunately, and resurrects all the trauma again. And I think it would devastate any person closely affected with the massacre, and I think accordingly it's an absolute shame for Tamsania and those who suffered.
MAURA ANGLE: Mr Avery says anyone who thinks Bryant wasn't acting alone, or that the massacre was part of a grand plan to disarm Australia, is just plain mad.
JOHN AVERY: I picked up the case from anotehr lawyer and it took no more than a few minutes of viewing the material that there was to indicate. So I think anyone who baulks at that suggestion is either silly or stupid or mad.
MAURA ANGLE: The Tasmanian branch of the One Nation Party is distancing itself from the theories. President, Peter Stokes.
PETER STOKES: We don't hold it, One Nation's position is we don't hold with that theory at all. And we certainly will distance ourselves from that statement.
MAURA ANGLE: But Mr Stokes continues to fuel the fire. He says there are too many questions unanswered, and he wants a Royal Commission into Port Arthur.
PETER STOKES: There are lots of things that need to come out in that, and I would see it firstly, it would be to ascertain how this incident could have actually happened in the first place. And I would imagine the second part of a Royal inquiry would certainly be to recommend actions to stop such an incident from ever happening again.
MAURA ANGLE: That's what the new gun laws are for, and since the Port Arthur tragedy there hasn't been a mass shooting in Australia. It's been almost five years since 35 people were shot dead and dozens more injured.
Those affected live with the memories every day. Ed Gouden from the Tasman Council says he's been speaking to some of the survivors.
ED GOUDEN: Some people saw their loved ones shot by this individual, and to say that it wasn't the case is inaccurate, it's wrong and the people . whetehr Pauline Hanson has said it, or not, or whether her organisation is pushing it, should be put in their place very, very quickly. And, yep, told where to get off, to be nice about it.
COMPERE: Ed Gouden of the Tasman Council, with our reporter in Tasmania Maura Angle.
