Coroner & Legal
Researchers suspect fox evidence fabrication, Tasmania Government opts not to investigate
An independent scientific report using the Tasmanian Environment Department’s own data has suggested evidence of foxes may have been fabricated.
The group behind the report wants the findings investigated but the Government is refusing to take any action.
The report claims to have found anomalies in the fox scat collection data.
About 60 scats found in Tasmania during the state’s fox eradication program tested positive to fox DNA and have been used as proof that they existed in Tasmania.
The long-running eradication program, which has since been abolished, spent about $50 million of taxpayer funds.
Now, seven experts, including mathematicians, have analysed the collection data for 38 of the fox-positive scats found in Tasmania.
The report’s lead scientist, fox ecologist Dr Clive Marks, said they had found anomalies, including that only single scats were found in any one search area.
“We put a figure of something like one chance in 10,000 of this happening by random or chance,” he said.
Scats from foxes in captivity were brought in from interstate by the Fox Eradication Program to train detection dogs.
Of the 38 scats to be found around Tasmania the report said 13 were collected by one person.
The report said about half of those contained fox hair and only foxes kept in captivity have such a high proportion of scats marked with hair.
“There’s a one in 12,000 probability of that occurring randomly,” he said.
Dr Marks said data fabrication was one possible explanation.
…
The report’s authors believe there should be an integrity commission inquiry, followed by a police investigation.
Veterinary pathologist David Obendorf was one the seven experts who analysed the collection data for the 38 scats.
…
“But [the department’s] own data demonstrates that it did, and that points to data fabrication. As far as I’m concerned, that needs to be investigated by an independent body.”
Despite approving the release of the data, and being given a copy of the report in March, Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff is refusing to take any action.
…
THE LONG HISTORY OF FOXES AND TASMANIA … can be found …
• Transcripts of ABC Fox Reports …
7.00 pm ABC 1 News Tasmania – 25 November 2015
Presenter: There is evidence that foxes may have been faked. An independent scientific report using the Environment Department’s own data suggests that fox scats were planted by a member of staff.
Alex Blucher: Former police commander, Ivan Dean investigated claims that foxes were released in Tasmania 14 years ago.Ivan Dean (in his Launceston office): I was involved in the initial police investigation into the suggestion that foxes were brought into this state, and found that there was no evidence to support that.
Alex Blucher: Since then about 60 scats with fox DNA have been found in the State. An independent scientific report analysed collection data for 38 of those scats. It found anomalies caused by possible data fabrication, meaning an employee could have planted fox scats as evidence.
Bryan Green (at a press conference in Parliament): It is concerning that people are suggesting that, ahhh … that some scats may have been planted. Certainly, I think, in the first place there would need to be an internal investigation.
Alex Blucher: The suspected fabrication happened under Labor which spent about $50 million chasing foxes.
Bryan Green: I was convinced early on – based on advice from the Department – ahhm, you know, that foxes were … … living in Tasmania and on that basis, ahh … you know, lobbied hard for the Commonwealth to make sure that we did everything in our power stop foxes establishing in our State.
Alex Blucher: The Liberal Government has been sitting on the report since March and is refusing to act. Ivan Dean says millions of dollars of federal and state money has been wasted, he wanted police and the Integrity Commission to act.
Ivan Dean: It borders in criminality, and I’ve always said that a police investigation will have to be lengthy. And I’m very confident that they would find much evidence to demonstrate that there has been evidence of fabrication.
Darren Hinds (Tasmanian Commissioner of Police): Until we actually receive a complaint then obviously we have got nothing to work on, at the moment.
Alex Blucher: As for the Integrity Commission it won’t comment on whether it plans to investigate. Ivan Dean says he will table the independent report to Parliament once it’s been peer-reviewed and published. He will then formally request an inquiry. Alex Blucher ABC news. [2.10 minutes]
25 November 2015 – Tasmanian Fox Media
7.45 am ABC – 936 Radio News
The Tasmanian Government is brushing off the call that some evidence of foxes in the island state could have been fabricated. Kieran Jones has the details:
It’s the first report analysing why fox scats have been found in Tasmania; the report which analyses the Department’s own data has found anomalies which suggest some data may have been fabricated. That’s left scientists like David Obendorf calling for an investigation.
David Obendorf: I think the Police should get involved.
Primary Industry Minister, Jeremy Rockliff says there won’t be an investigation: ‘If I call the Police in every time scientists disagree, ahh … they be … have nothing else to do.’
Fifty million dollars was on the state’s long-running Fox Eradication Program, which has since been abolished.
ABC 936 Mornings program – Interview with Jeremy Rockliff, presenter Leon Compton
Leon Compton: In another area of portfolio responsibility, I’d like you to respond to a claim that fox evidence may have been fabricated, as a scientific report suggests and released in the last 24 hours.
Jeremy Rockliff: Well, it says may have been fabricated. There’s been no credible evidence of ahh… fox…es since 2011, Leon. Look, we’ve, ahh … abandoned Labor’s tens of millions of dollar Eradication Program. We abolished the Fox Eradication project. Foxes remain a real threat, of course, to Tasmania – just as myrtle rust does; just as Bathurst burr does, for example. So, there’s a range of pest weeds and diseases that can damage our environment, damage our agricultural industries and of course damage our brand. We’ve got to be very vigilant when it comes to investing in Biosecurity Resources – particularly at the front line, first to protect and ensure there’s not an incursion, which could be very costly. So, look, ahh … (interrupted)
Leon Compton: Minister, do you believe there were ever foxes in Tasmania?
Jeremy Rockliff: (pause) … Leon, I haven’t seen a fox. But, you know, ahhm … I would take any sightings very seriously and any evidence very seriously. Ahh, you know we can’t … (pause) … we must be very vigilant when it comes to any potential biosecurity threat, ahh … whether that be foxes, or fruit fly or whatever the case maybe. So, ahhm … you know I’m not in the ‘fox sceptic camp’, if you know what I mean. What I’m about is being very vigilant to ensure that we have a very robust biosecurity system in Tasmania, both at the pre-border, the border and the post border biosecurity/quarantine continuum. And there’s been some great examples over the course of last 12 months, Leon, where for example at our pre-border – again a great partnership between Biosecurity Tasmania and the TT Line for example doing the inspections, ahh … prior to getting on the ship to come to Tasmania. And as a result of that there have been tonnes and tonnes and tonnes of quarantine risk material that’s been seized at the pre-border that hasn’t entered our state and, ahh … will no longer be a potential threat. So this is about ensuring that we are vigilant about any biosecurity threat whether it be a fox, a weed or a disease.
Leon Compton: Appreciate you talking with us this morning. [2.25 mins]
12.30 pm and 1 pm ABC 936 radio News
There are calls from Upper House MLC Ivan Dean for an inquiry into evidence of foxes was faked. A report by independent scientists analysing the Environment Department’s own data found anomalies suggesting some data may have been fabricated. Total of fifty million dollars was spent in eight years on the State’s long-running Fox Eradication Program, which was abolished last year. Mr Dean says the matter needs to be investigated.
Ivan Dean: I’m concerned that there will be no lessons learned if there is no inquiry. Now whether the Inquiry should be done by Police or whether it be the Integrity Commission – there is need for an inquiry.
26 November 2015 – Tasmanian Fox Media
7.45 am ABC – 936 Radio NewsThe Tasmanian Government is under pressure to respond with a police investigation into claims evidence of foxes in the state may have been planted, Lauren Waldhuter reports.
Lauren: An independent scientific report analysing the Environment Department’s evidence of foxes found some of the data may have been fabricated. Labor leader Bryan Green says he never doubted the data while he was Primary Industry Minister.
Bryan Green: We always, ahh … obviously, took it in good faiths.
Lauren: He supports an internal investigation, but Windermere MLC, Ivan Dean wants the claims examined by police or the Integrity Commission.
Ivan Dean: And I’m very confident that they would find much evidence to demonstrate that there has been fabrication.
Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff has said there was no need to call in police over what were scientific disagreements. [47 sec]
• David Obendorf in Comments: … With respect this is hardly just “a scientific disagreement” as Minister Rockliff would assert. The senior management of DPIPWE have chosen not to disagree with our analysis or to contest the basic findings of this report to Government. If they had done so, the independent scientists group would, of course, have taken any formal inputs from them into consideration … The greater concern in this unfortunate wastage are the Invasive Animal CRC and DPIPWE staff who claimed in 2013 that “foxes are now widespread in Tasmania” based on such bogus data set. Tasmania deserves a full inquiry into this sordid mess and should go back to falsification of dead fox material also used as empirical evidence from 2001 to 2006.
• Ian Rist in Comments: … I remember going along to the State offices in Launceston with Jeremy Rockliff in early 2003 and speaking with Rene Hidding (then Liberal leader) on the veracity of evidence (particularly the fox cub import allegations). I remember suppying the FOI letters to Hidding and Rockliff. Very few Tamanian politicians could declare they were unaware of the circumstances surrounding Tasmanian fox matters. The Circus rolls on and it will never be put to bed until there is a thorough, independent and complete investigation. Whilst there are many politicians with varying interests in these matters…the number one I believe after much thought and deliberation is some don’t want exposure on a matter they think may jeopardise future biosecurity and wildlife funding. Nothing could be further from reality, whilst ever there is this cloud of doubt and mistrust the Feds. are going to be very cautious on such matters.
• David Obendorf in Comments: … When Cassy O’Connor MP took over as Environment spokesperson for the Tasmania Greens she gave her opinion on the fox evidence. She went public in 2010 [Togatus UTAS magazine Feb 2010] claiming that [i]’there’s enough evidence to prove that there are foxes in Tasmania.'[/i] Ms O’Connor went on to say: [i]’Unfortunately, there is a small group of sceptics who have really managed to muddy the water.'[/i] Ms O’Connor was not for turning! To this day I do really wonder whether she ever considered the possibility that maybe there was another ‘small group’ who might had ‘managed to muddy the water’ … for the Tasmanian Greens! In my opinion, the Tasmanian Greens after the 2010 State election were far more uncritical of the fox program; Ms O’Connor and Mr McKim were then both Ministers of the Crown …