(Question 1)Which CSIRO spin-doctor wrote that many of the concerns of Mrs Marguerite Wegner (activist) were based on "media reports" with the qualification "We all know how easy it is to be misquoted in the media".

(Answer 1) Mr Niall Byrne CSIRO (who has the job of informing the public and the press whom he accuses of mis-quoting).

(Question 2) Why did Victorian taxpayers unknowingly fund the spread of a document which contained a largely untrue statement written by Mr Niall Byrne (CSIRO) which I believe was written to discredit Mrs Marguerite Wegner of Rabbit Information Service?

(Answer 2)The Victorian Ombudsman verified that the statement made by Mr Niall Byrne about Mrs Marguerite Wegner was circulated by the Victorian Department of Environment in Report No 15 dated 29/4/1997.

(Question 3)Had Mr Niall Byrne and CSIRO prior knowledge of Mrs Marguerite Wegners research activities and connections with overseas scientists?

(Answer 3)Mr Niall Byrne and CSIRO were well aware of Mrs Marguerite Wegners ongoing attempts at retrieving information from CSIRO and other Australian Government departments under the Freedom of Information Act as well as her importation of knowledge of RCD and written statements from eminent overseas scientists (these were on her website for all to see).

(Question 4)Is there any truth in Mr Byrne's statement that many of Mrs Marguerite Wegner's concerns were based on media reports?

(Answer 4)Mrs Marguerite Wegner spent much time writing to overseas experts on RCD and obtaining publications on the matter. She very rarely relied on media reports based on the RCD Programs press releases.

In a report on RCD circulated by the Victorian Government Department of Environment and Natural Resources, an attachment was added to every report which included a statement made by Mr Niall Byrne of CSIRO which stated that: "It is worth noting that many of Marguerite's [Marguerite Wegner's] concerns are based on media reports - we all know how easy it is to be misquoted in the media - take a look at the source material on the web at www.csiro.au/communication/rabbits/rabbits.htm - please email me if you want more information. [If you have any further questions on this matter, contact Niall Byrne directly. MHJ]

Mrs Wegner protests strongly at the statement by Mr Byrne who deliberately sets out to discredit her by inferring that her concerns are based mostly on "media reports". This is rubbish. Mrs Wegner has information on RCD aquired from the British High Commission, US Sientists, The OIE (Including Volume 10, Number 2 which is a special issue devoted to RCD/RHD) . Mr Byrne's forte is that of a "spin doctor" or PR person from CSIRO and in this case Mr Byrne has used his position inappropriately. Despite requests for an apology and a retraction, Mr Niall Byrne has not responded.

The Victorian Department of Environment and Natural Resources admits in writing that they printed this untrue statement about Mrs Wegner and circulated it to all on the Victorian RCD mailing list. An apology and a retraction has not been received from the Victorian Department of Environment and Natural Resources for deliberately circulating inaccurate and mis-leading information about Mrs Marguerite Wegner (written by Mr Niall Byrne, CSIRO)

An attempt to discredit Mrs Wegner is obviously an attempt to "shoot the messenger" who brings to the public the concerns of those many eminent scientists who say that they would NEVER agree to the deliberate spread of RHD (a deadly live hemorrhagic virus of mammals renamed RCD by the Australian authorites to be less emotive) as a biological control agent.

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