‘Against all scientific prudence and normal public health procedure, the world population is being whipped up into a fear frenzy by irresponsible public health officials from the US Administration to WHO to the United States Centers for Disease Control. They all warn about the imminent danger that a malicious viral strain might spread from infected birds, primarily in Vietnam and other Asian centers, to contaminate the entire human species in pandemic proportions. Often the flu pandemic of 1918 which is said to have killed 18 million worldwide, is cited as an example of what ‘might’ lie in store for us.  

When Veranda Sandstone & Darth Ruddock were almost wiped-out by the DIMIA tsunami, there would have been one member of little Johnnie Cromwell’s Ministry who probably sympathised with them more than anyone-else: the leader of the government in the Senate & Minister for Defence, the Hon Senator, Robert Hill. 

 
Unique amongst his colleagues, the good Senator presides over a portfolio that suffers little from public scrutiny.  

Speech at Brisbane Customs House, Tuesday, 18 October, for QPILCH

(Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House) 

By Chris Rau 

This final version, incorporating revised material, amended Saturday, 22^nd October, 2005