March 16, 2016
Cr Barry Green has issued a withering blast against the South Burnett Free Press and anyone associated with it, describing the publication as “despicable”, “scurrilous” and “a mongrel act”.
Cr Green, who will be retiring soon, was speaking at Wednesday’s South Burnett Regional Council meeting about an attack launched on Cr Ros Heit in a new edition of the publication, which was distributed to mailboxes around the region over the past few days.
“Ros is one of the most inspirational women that I have ever met,” Cr Green said.
“And to put in print what these people seem necessary to do is unbelievable.”
Cr Green was responding to an anonymous letter in the publication which questioned Cr Heit’s health and honesty.
Cr Heit, who has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer over the past six months, successfully concluded her treatment earlier this year without missing a single Council meeting or any of her other Council duties.
“We have been continuously told not to react, and that’s probably good advice because if you don’t give things oxygen they will probably die,” Cr Green said.
“But I just couldn’t let this go.
“I walked into the office on Monday morning and one of the managers there, Nerida, said to me have you read this? And I said no and she told me what they’d written regarding Ros and I took great offence to that.
“And I don’t care who knows it.”
Mayoral candidate Grant Newson, who was attending the meeting as a volunteer reporter for the Burnett Free Press, sat silently through Cr Green’s blast, his face appearing to redden as Cr Green’s emotional tirade continued.
But two other people in the public gallery – Division 1 candidate Caroline Haskard and an unidentified woman who called out “f**k you, Barry!” – left the Town Hall shortly after Cr Green delivered his speech.
Mr Newson and Ms Haskard – both members of Nanango & Districts SBRAG – have been listed as Burnett Free Press’ preferred candidates for the Saturday, March 19 Council elections along with Mayoral candidate Michael Brown, Division 2 candidate Liz-Hollens Riley, Division 3 candidate Stan Corbett and Division 6 candidate Uwe (Tom) Nowack.
The newsletter is also being distributed on Windera resident Ralph Percy’s South Burnett Council Watch website and Facebook page.
southburnett.com.au is not alleging that any of these people were responsible for the anonymous article about Cr Heit.
Cr Heit later said she felt the publication was highly defamatory, and would seek legal advice.
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Raw audio: Part of Cr Green’s speech
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Cr Heit said the comments printed in the Burnett Free Press could terrify some people.
“Cancer treatments and outcomes have come a long way in recent decades,” she said.
“By saying everyone who has cancer ‘probably won’t make the next few years’ is going to terrify anyone who is unlucky enough to get a cancer diagnosis.
“The facts are that one in eight women will get breast cancer but with modern treatments nearly 90 per cent will be fine.
“I have had excellent medical care and my doctors are confident that it will not recur.
” How would a woman diagnosed today feel if she read that because of breast cancer she probably wouldn’t last long!”
Cr Heit also referred to a post she had seen on Facebook which indicated the same thing was being said face-to-face:
“A bloke was door-knocking to drum up support for the Div 6 hopeful and said to the homeowner that he shouldn’t vote for the incumbent, Ros Heit because she has cancer and probably won’t last the full term … Decency, people, decency.”
Comments on the post included:
“I had the awful misfortune of glancing my eyes over a ‘trash bit of paper’ today in our junk mail stating the same sad subject as mentioned here. Ros Heit it actually nearly bought me to tears knowing we have such low disrespecting members living right here in our South Burnett”
“Some people need to learn the difference between the right to free speech and telling lies! Let’s hope the liars get the number of votes they deserve !”
“That is distasteful and disgusting behaviour.”
A spade is a spade. Bazza, well done. These low lifes are ruining our community
Good on you Barry, about time someone put those who are associated on the spot. The outgoing councillors have done their very best for our community as I am sure the incoming ones will do. There will be plenty of times that residents will disagree with decisions they make (they are, after all, not perfect) but let us not forget they have put themselves out there to do their best. To be subjected by continued harassment about their honesty is also not good for our community. One of the most important things in a small community is its sense of community and the fact we stand together – on most things :-) – as a community and our pride in our community. These people just undermine that at any opportunity with innuendo and misrepresentation of the truth.
Any publication in Australia which is credible in any way always allows and should encourage a right of reply…
The ‘Free Press’ publication is not news, it is less then gossip… It is simply a propaganda outlet. It never shows actual fact checking, it’s main aim it ‘seems’ is to discredit and to misinform.
An actual ‘free press’ in society is something I feel is warranted, however should always have the integrity and uphold journalism in an equal unbiased manner and I feel that legal action should be sort against the editor and the board.
You can not publish or make outlandish statements of false and misleading content and hide behind a smokescreen of so-called freedom of speech.
Yes, I do believe in actual freedom of speech (FOS). every Australian and person on the planet should. Everyone has a right to their opinion, anyone having the right to express there views, thoughts and opinions ‘personally’ is fine. However, when you start publishing such claims in print, online or broadcast you have stepped away from that and have started broadcasting.
Then, ladies and gentlemen, you step into a world of legal hurt because if the claims are unfounded, not fact checked, not written with care and due diligence I hope you are prepared to lose everything and possibly face jail time.
In my opinion…
The Burnett Free Press put in my letterbox. I only read part of the first one before I put it in the bin. If I had a bird I would probably use it to line the bottom of its cage. Can’t think of any other use for it.
A cancer diagnosis is confronting for anyone, but the Cancer Council and cancer survivors like me are keen to promote hope and encouragement. I urge anyone newly diagnosed with cancer to ignore this Free Press rubbish and contact the Cancer Council on 13-11-20 or http://www.cancer.org.au for facts and support.
I had the unfortunate experience of reading through the latest “Free Press” and I have to say I have never come across such a vile concoction of speculation and one-sided opinion put to paper! I don’t know whose project the Free Press is but whoever it is should hang their head in shame. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but to put to print an entire publication of unproven lies and blatant defamation and then to try and disguise it (quiet poorly) as an authentic piece of journalism and than to have it distributed is an absolute disgrace.
‘Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought’. John F. Kennedy
Isn’t it great to see the real people of the South Burnett finally stand up. This Free Press publication and it’s pathetic sister website “Council Watch” have for too long published lies and fabrications. Please remember these two publications are both directly linked with SBRAG. The best message to send is simply ensure you don’t vote for their candidates.
Re Barry Green blast of Free Press
As a prospective Councillor for the South Burnett Regional Council, one of the skills you need it to be astute enough to realise the motivations of some people at critical times, such as council elections. Some recent behaviours during this campaign have been questionable.
I awoke this morning to several messages advising me of an article in the South Burnett Online website, also known as southburnett.com.au
I have read this story and emphatically deny the allegations made against me in this article. My response here is to set the record straight.
I am not associated with the Free Press and had been asked that question several times earlier this week, without ever realising why.
Like other candidates, I have advertised in the Free Press during my campaign because of its massive circulation and affordability.
I was as shocked as anyone upon hearing what Cr Barry Green said in yesterday’s meeting, not remotely understanding why he threatened to punch anyone who got in his way.
In response to the article that appeared in South Burnett Online where it implies Cr Barry Green suggests “two other people in the public gallery – Division 1 candidate Carolyn (sic – meaning their incorrect spelling is retained here) Haskard and an unidentified woman who called out “F*ck you Barry!” – both left the Town Hall together shortly after Cr Green delivered his speech”, I would like to lay out the facts.
At no time during the meeting did I hear anyone yell out any profanity, nor did I observe a disturbance of any kind amongst the attendees. Someone could have said something, but I did not hear it. Two police officers were present during the meeting, I think in relation to one of Cr Ros Heit’s projects, and if what is alleged had occurred, surely they would have attended the matter.
To clarify, I did not leave the room whilst Cr Green was speaking, but I did have to leave some time later during the Mayor’s presentation to attend an appointment. I did not speak as I left the hall, nor did the other woman say anything who also left at that time, nor did she say anything during the meeting. I do not know who is being referred to.
I do not understand how or why the South Burnett Online made these errors and I am disappointed that these inaccuracies and allegations have been drawn against me.
I am running as a Councillor candidate on my integrity and professional capacity and am calling for South Burnett Online to publish a correction, or withdraw their article with an apology.
With regard to the commentary in the article about Ros Heit’s campaign, I say this, “If indeed a door knocker was suggesting to voters in Division 6 not to vote for Ros because of a recent illness, which is her private business only, I do not condone these activities. I wish Ros Heit nothing but the very best with her campaign.”
Caroline …
Nowhere in the report does it say that you are associated with the South Burnett Free Press. Please read it again.
However, we could have pointed out that in Edition 3 of the South Burnett Free Press, you were pictured handing out survey forms at the markets; the results of these surveys were published in the South Burnett Free Press.
I suggest you may be the author of the article on P6 of the February edition about Phebalium distans, as you have written scientific papers on this rather esoteric subject.
Your photograph also appears on Page 1 of both the November and December editions.
I believe that you, Ralph Percy and Grant Newson – all members of Nanango & Districts SBRAG – have distributed copies of the South Burnett Free Press at the Nanango Markets.
So, although we did not say in the report that you are associated with South Burnett Free Press, I ask you now: “Are you associated with the South Burnett Free Press?”
2. We have witnesses who saw you leave the meeting immediately after Barry’s speech (we did not say you left during it).
3. A number of people heard another woman – who we believe left at the same time as you – swear loudly.
4. Frankly, your email to us claiming the report is “vexatious and defamatory” is ludicrous.
5. We apologise for spelling your name incorrectly. That was an error and has been corrected.
Anne Martindale
Editor, South Burnett Online
It has come to my attention that an article has been placed on line on the South Burnett Times website which has incorrect information contained within.
I attended the Council Meeting on 16th March 2016 when entering the meeting I was speaking with Division 1 Candidate Caroline Haskard. I sat beside Caroline during the duration of the meeting up to the Mayor’s presentation.
At no time did I hear anyone make any comments regarding any of the Councillors while they were speaking or after they spoke. I have attended a number of Meetings since moving to the South Burnett Region and have never made a comment during any meeting and never would.
This can be confirmed by a number of people I have met during this period. Just before the Mayor’s presentation I whispered that I had to leave owing to family commitments and Caroline advised that she had to leave as well.
We left the meeting together without speaking until we were outside the external door so as to attend to private matters.
At no time during the meeting did either of us make any comment and I believe that whoever wrote this information should retract this article and I would appreciate an apology for the incorrect information printed.
Helen Steadman
We are South Burnett Online, not the South Burnett Times. However, if you were not the person who was heard to swear loudly – and I will take your word that it was not you – then it must have been another person in the hall at the same time.
Anne Martindale
Editor
I was at the meeting and never heard any swearing – but I was seated on the southern side of the hall. Mr Martindale was on the northern side – I presume from where the comment came.
I did hear Barry’s speech and I commend him. Especially for the comment which has not been highlighted in reports that I have seen.
The basic concept of our democracy is that we elect people to make decisions on our behalf. Not to dilly dally around and achieve nothing. But get in there, get the facts and make a decision taking into account the best interests of the majority. If we believe that does not happen we can choose someone else next election.
My congratulations also goes to the council in its entirety for their achievements in the area of infrastructure. This will prove to be a masterstroke.
In the argument around debt – who out there saved up for their first house? Most of us need a loan. Loans are essential to growth.
I was seated one seat away from two adults at the meeting, that were, throughout the Councillors’ and Mayors’ speeches, swearing and cursing under their breath (so they thought).
It was my first council meeting that I have attended and was astounded at the lack of respect these two people had to the Councillors.
Take your negativity elsewhere or have something better to say then swear at the Councillors’ comments.
The Burnett Free Press publications are not totally useless. Can I suggest that rather than just throwing them in the bin, people might consider getting some use from them, by way of taking them to the smallest room in their house & using them appropriately. To our outgoing Mayor & Councillors, we say a huge thank you & wish you well. To our incoming Mayor & Councillors; whoever they may be; we wish you well & thank you in advance, as you have a huge & daunting task ahead of you. Thank you for stepping up to the plate. To Councillor Barry Green, we commend you on your comments in relation to Ros. What a champion she is! To Councillor Ros Heit; Barry’s right, as you truly are an inspiration & we acknowledge & applaud you & say thank you. Hopefully, after this election is over, we will see all of the gutter tactics get flushed to where this type of mentality & behaviour belongs and get serious about encouraging & supporting our new Mayor and Councillors as they get on with the business of managing the South Burnett, which just happens to be one of the best places in Australia to live. To the knockers; if gutter tactics is the best you have to offer our wonderful community, then maybe you should consider relocating. Just a thought.
I find the advice in an article recently published online by the ABC website most useful when “this collection of words”, and given the incorrect title “Free Press” crosses my screen! Our mail box was spared the hard copy version but our neighbours weren’t – they disposed of it as per Trev Ballin’s recommendation!
“Perhaps the main challenge is to remember that conspiracy theories — if they’re intended to have any purchase at all — are ultimately about real people, real events, real tragedies. Creating them is therefore an activity that takes place within the moral sphere, and is subject to ethical standards.”
Reference full article here: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/theminefield/the-ethics-of-conspiracy-theories-patrick-stokes/7251520
I said this on Facebook recently and will repeat it here. Now is the time to stand up and be counted. We can no longer tolerate the ignorance, spiteful attacks and intolerance of these people. The good people of the South Burnett region have sat back and tried not to respond to their ignorance and maliciousness, but enough is enough!! Make your vote count! For a group to attack someone who had cancer and despite their treatment has been and is still performing their duties, I believe better than their opponents ever would is disgraceful. Before someone points it out, yes, I am the current Mayor’s wife and proud of it but I have bitten my tongue for long enough. These people must be silenced once and for all. Make your vote count this weekend and don’t let those people who promise you the world but really can’t make good on their promise fool you!