Australian politician and Opposition Leader Colin Barnett has demonstrated that - in his mind at least - conservation must play second fiddle to his desire to win votes and news headlines.

Although the great white shark is protected in Australian waters, Mr Barnett has called on white sharks to be killed on sight in Western Australia because they are considered to be a threat to surfers.
Perhaps if Mr Barnett were capable of applying rational thought to the risks Australian surfers actually face he should campaign to have the wearing of waterproof sunblock compulsory: how many surfers develop skin cancer annually?

But would such a campaign make headlines and help Mr Barnett portray himself as a friend of the people and enemy of sharks???Mr Barnett has argued that any shark within 200 metres of a beach is fair game. He does not appear to understand that a great many white sharks cruise inshore - near surfers and swimmers - and very nearly always ignore them.

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External link: http://www.thewest.com.au/20031031/news/general/tw-news-general-home-sto115026.html




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