Today Tonight interviewed Senator Richard Di Natale and anti-vaccination pressure group president, Greg Beattie, tonight. I don’t know why, but, here goes.
Greg Beattie stated this, directly into the camera:
…a small group has tried to destroy us by spreading stories and Di Natale has swallowed them hook, line, and sinker. Not a word he has said about us was true… [ed: that’s “Senator” Di Natale to you, clownshoes]
For the record the AVN has never engaged in harassing any grieving family whatsoever , that’s nothing but slander…
Here is the segment*:
________________________________
Remember what Beattie said: “For the record the AVN has never engaged in harassing any grieving family whatsoever…”
Sorry? The AVN has never done these things? Then what’s this?
AVN member Andrew MacDonald:
AVN leader (former president) Meryl Dorey:
“I never have and never will harass or hurt a grieving parent” – Meryl Dorey
Meryl Dorey: staying callous since 1997
Australian Vaccination Network still vilifying grieving parents
Meryl Dorey now states that contacting grieving families is appropriate
Meryl Dorey: when is repeating a lie about a grieving family okay?
Meryl Dorey mocking death: claims chicken pox was never considered deadly
AVN supporter Judy Wilyman, with Dorey:
AVN member, and former AVN committee member, Jane Beeby:
Jane Beeby, 2012 candidate for Clarence Valley Council elections: maintaining the ugly silence
AVN supporter Erwin Alber:
AVN supporter, registered nurse, Kerry Baker:
Kerry Baker: Registered Nurse; AVN Supporter; Vilifier of Grieving Families.
AVN supporter “Johanna Holland” with whom Dorey used to email to gather screenshots:
Remember. This little anthology is just a list of the callous acts perpetrated by the members and supporters of the AVN, either directly to grieving parents, or stated about them in public where these parents could see what was being said about them. This anthology doesn’t include any of the other evidence in the mountain of misinformation which has also been accrued over the last four years.
Again, Beattie: you had one job.
Here are some other nuggets from the segment.
Beattie states that, “the AVN facilitates discussion on vaccines”. Right. Okay. Here’s Meryl Dorey two days ago…
Yes, we do delete people who are not fans of the AVN…this is NOT a debating site.
This is text of the phone call Beattie made to Senator Di Natale, and recorded without the Senator’s knowledge or permission. Still of the segment:
Here is why Senator Di Natale would think that Beattie is not honest (apart from the obvious misinformation the AVN disperses like seeds to the wind). Beattie lied to the Senator, even at the precise moment when he was declaring his honesty to the Senator, while recording the damn phone call without telling the Senator. Honest, guv.
This guy would sell a rat’s asshole to a blind man as a wedding ring. That takes some real moxy.
Rather amusingly, at the end of the foetid Beattie mound, he calls on Senator Christine Milne to “clarify; does she support this Senator…”
Well, she doesn’t need to clarify anything for Beattie. Senator Milne was quite clear, three weeks ago, on Twitter:
I don’t even know why this post needed to be a thing. Seriously.
* thanks again to our intrepid video uploaders
Our founder took out an AVO against her most vocal critics because she got ANONYMOUS threats…. derp.
Don’t you mean she tried unsuccessfully to take out an AVO?
No, one was successful as it was uncontested (with amendments), as it had no bearing on the person’s life. It had been thrown out, then, she appealed.
Two others are still to be heard. One of those was also thrown out, which she has appealed.
Someone get that man a comb. What is it with the AVN and unkempt hair?
I thought exactly the same thing. And you made me spray my tea 🙂
It’s more than a little scary that it was only 60/40 in favour of disbanding the AVN for most of the segment, but then if you were smarter you wouldn’t watch Today Tonight. That said, at least even these trashy shows are getting behind the science and portraying the AVN as the dangerous nutjobs they are.
I was visiting my Dad, and he had it on. It was the only reason I saw it. It was painful (having it on generally, not watching Greg Beattie dig himself a big deep hole).
By the end of that video it 88% for the AVNET being disbanded. What was it by the end of the show? Did the public believe Gregs slander BS?
I think it ended up 70/30
I wonder if MD will appeal the appeal when the case gets thrown out ?
Yes, she can appeal all the way to the supreme court.
Great blog post, Reasonable Hank! One of the things I dislike most about the AVN is their black-is-whiteism. They tell boldfaced lies all the time! One thing, however, I found your “blind man” metaphor a bit, well, uncouth. Perhaps it’s because I have a small child who is legally blind, but I always cringe when I see off the cuff remarks about blind people, so perhaps I’m a little sensitive.
If they are happy to lie in court. Then it should come as no surprise that the AVN is happy to lie on camera.
I thought recording a conversation with anyone without their knowledge or permission was illegal in this country…another strike against the AVN.
If Mr Beattie was in NSW whilst recording that phone conversation with the Senator then Mr Beattie has committed a Criminal Act under NSW Legislation that can result in up to 5 years imprisonment. Surveillance Devices Act 2007 – ss7(1)(b) and ss7(3)(b)(ii) [ http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/sda2007210/s7.html ]
The Senator, or any interested person should notify NSW Police if they have a reasonable suspicion that this has occurred.
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