Typical Croc Hunter Stupidity? He's Procreating.

[Shawn]

News.com.au

STEVE Irwin's nomination for Australian of the Year is in jeopardy after a member of the judging panel questioned his decision to dangle his month-old son before the jaws of a 4m crocodile.

Describing the self-styled Crocodile Hunter's behaviour as strange and "quite worrying", National Australia Day Council director Marjorie Turbayne said she would today ask the organisation's national director to consult other board members about Irwin's fitness to be considered for 2004 Australian of the Year.

Irwin is shortlisted for the honour, having been named by the Queensland Government as that state's official nominee.

He went to ground yesterday, abandoning his zoo on the Sunshine Coast in the face of intensifying controversy over the publicity stunt he pulled last Friday with his baby son, Bob.

Irwin was filmed cradling the infant in one arm while feeding the huge reptile raw meat from the other. At one point, he "walked" Bob alongside the pool in which the saltwater crocodile was lurking, drawing condemnation from wildlife experts and family groups for endangering his son.

As a director of the National Australia Day Council, Ms Turbayne is one of eight judges who will recommend to John Howard the Australian of the Year from a field of state finalists. She said she would today raise Irwin's conduct with National Australia Day Council national director Warren Pearson, suggesting that he "ring around" other judges to determine their views.

Asked if the episode could affect Irwin's candidature for Australian of the Year, Ms Turbayne said: "I think it could." She stressed, however, that it was her private opinion.

Irwin's spokeswoman said yesterday that he had "had enough" of the controversy and retreated with his family - wife Terri, daughter Bindi, 5, and baby Bob - to one of their conservation properties in western Queensland.

Far from contrite, the Irwins were yesterday reported to have involved Bindi in another live show on Saturday with crocodiles. Brisbane's Sunday Mail said Terri had described the little girl as "white meat" after calling on her to enter an enclosure adjoining the reptiles' pen.

Federal Children and Youth Affairs Minister Larry Anthony said yesterday he hoped Irwin would learn that children should not be placed in dangerous situations.

"It wasn't wise for him to do that, and I think he has probably reflected on it quite seriously," Mr Anthony said.

A spokeswoman for Queensland Families Minister Judy Spence said yesterday Irwin would be counselled this week by a child protection official.

Premier Peter Beattie's office was insisting yesterday that the furore would not affect Irwin's nomination for Australian of the Year.

[Pebbles100]

You know, I read that in our paper here yesterday, and I'm kinda split towards this. It's similar to the Michael Jackson ordeal with his baby (which was way overblown). Yeah, he probably shouldn't have done that, but having a child protection agency counsel him after is kinda far fetched. ...Maybe those gator captures have gone to his head.