Flannery: Hadley concocted story on my waterside home
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Of all the responses to Robert Manne’s Quarterly Essay on The Australian — a defence from Weekend Oz editor Nick Cater, more criticism from Jay Rosen, Ian Lowe, Rodney Tiffen, Jack Waterford and Mark Latham — it is the letter from Tim Flannery published in the latest edition (in bookshops and online this month) that adds the juiciest grist to the mill.
The environmental activist reveals for the first time how he was set up by radio shock jock Ray Hadley, who fuelled a fierce campaign from News Limited papers against the Australian of the Year.
In July, Hadley took a call on his 2GB program from “David” proclaiming to be a neighbour of Flannery’s. Flannery owned a waterfront home, the caller said, detailing its precise location and highlighting his apparent hypocrisy on sea level rises.
The story took off: Andrew Bolt took to his blog with further details of the house (including a Google map) and its value, The Daily Telegraph went to print with a story, and after promising an “intelligent article” on the issue of sea level rises, Flannery claims, The Australian’s Ean Higgins wrote a piece rehashing the Hadley revelations.
Flannery did his own investigation. He found an address for “David” and made a house call. Flannery writes:
“His stammering voice was so unlike the smart-alec tone I’d heard on the radio that at first I thought I had the wrong person. But he soon admitted that he knew Ray Hadley. In fact, he worked for him.
“David then stated emphatically that he had not called Ray Hadley at all. Instead Hadley had asked him to appear on the show, and had called him. David said that Hadley had sought him out after learning that I lived nearby. The story, and all of the supposed ‘facts’ that David was to raise during the interview, had, according to David, been assembled beforehand by Hadley and his team … David stated: ‘You’re on the other side of the fence [regarding climate change] … they hate you … they’re out to get you.’”
As Flannery pointed out to any journalist who asked, his house in fact sits above the most radical projections of sea level rises.
He launched legal action against The Oz and won a withdrawal of the article, publication of a page-three apology and $5000 in legal costs. He writes:
“The experience has taught me several things about the hate media in Australia. First, as they seek to slur those they hate, they do not hesitate to manufacture a story if one does not exist. Second, as the story is picked up by other opinionists, they are prone to weave ever more scandalous fictional tidbits from the blogosphere into the story. Third, in their efforts to obtain an interview some journalists will lie and ignore the truth when it’s inconvenient to them.”
Crikey left a message on Hadley’s phone while he was on air this morning which has so far not be returned.
Thankyou Crickey for bringing such distasteful and unscrupulous behaviour to public’s attention.
These people should be held in contempt by the community as the bow to the pressure of their irresponsible rent seeking backers at the communities’ risk.
If true I would not be holding my breath to hear from big mouth thin skinned Hadley,he like all the 2GB stable is a coward dish it but cant take it.
It was the same on his farce of a Footy show.
Could someone explain why this issue hasn’t been pursued by the ACA or whomever? How does Hadley’s employer keep him on air after that act? How do the powers that be justify no suspension of the station’s licence? Do we just live with’ such unethical, obnoxious and probably illegal behaviour? I must be so out of touch …
Parents of Australia, don’t let your children grow up to be pathetic, shrieking, white males who should know — and behave — better.
And so begins a myth deniers will run with for years, long after the true story has been exposed.
Why hasn’t Tim Flannery reported Ray Hadley to The Press Council?
The above claim was still uncontested in Wikipedia at the Flannery reference until I edited the page just now to reflect this information.
When I listen to 2GB I find it wise to have my ullshitb filter adjusted. Having plants call in is a habit radio shock jocks can’t seem to do without. So called shock jocks are not journalist they are more likely to be identifed as entertainers, which gives them a convenient escape from the oversight of the press council.
The Flannery Hadley story above has hotted up this morning on 2GB! http://bit.ly/EJ_PNewsAds Edward James
I have just listened to Ray Hadley and the confirmation that I heard from the people he spoke to that day makes Tim Flannery out to be a liar, You can hear the pod cast on the 2gb site
Gee how quickly u guys just eat that story up. Flannery is the one who can’t cop it. All ray said was he lives near the water which he does, he speeds on his boat which he does. Not a very interesting story but a factual one nether the less. Flannery’s other neighbor Bruce was the one who brought it to rays attention not david. I think “set up” is a bit rich. It seems like crikey is keen to publish the smallest dirt on ray just like ray was keen to announce the smallest dirt on flannery. Smells like hypocrisy.
Flannery lives on the water. Has a boat, and David does exist, but never worked for Hadley.
Looks like is too hot in the kitchen for Mr Flannery.
Suzanne, did you read the article above? At all?
Yes and heard the caller David on 2GB. Expect a Crickey apology shortly.
Can we add that to your double dip recession prediction? And your Gillard gone by Christmas prediction?
2 people read this
10 are in contempt of the media
2 partisan hacks spout their vile defense of the vile tactic used by the vile shock jock to push the vile opinion of some anonymous polluter who is worried about having to pay a tad for their pollution.
Sanity is not their strong point.
Clearly most respondents do not listen to Ray Hadley at all!! If you go after him you better have all your ducks lined up or he will rightfully tear you a new one ! After this mornings show clearly Flannery has been shown as the fraud he is and for those who blindly accept everything served to them by Crikey or whoever..buyer beware. Know one thing, Hadley may be opinionated but will never push lies or unfounded gossip. If he says it I wouldnt bet against him.
As Hadley has said ” Flannery is a lowlife bastard”
Good on you Ray . Heard your statement on radio a little while ago.
Love the way you stand up to the NO HOPERS.
They seem to be coming out of the wood work.
What a village idiot Flannerey is
Josie
Well Well Well Mr Flannery making up stories again. Lets hope Mr Hadley goes back on his word ( I will not be taking legal action) and sue’s the lot of you. I am sure he could do that and donate the lot to one of the many charities he help so much.
It is just another load of cr#p that comes out of Mr Flannery so he can grab as much money as he can. i would like 180 k for 3 days a week work of telling people what they want to say.
Jason, where is the apology to Ray Hadley and retraction?
I suggest Crikey publish an apology for this article. It’s a good story, a pity it’s a complete lie.
Tim Flannery, Australian of the Year, what an embarrassment.
Climate Change, ha ha! Stop it, I can’t stop laughing. Please, the climate is changing. Yes by about 0.1 percent over the next 1000 years. Hang on, the Y2K bug is returning. Run for the hills.
11.30 am Wednesday. Ray Hadley calls Flannery a low bastard. Then demands an apology from Flannery, invites him to come on air. Hadley told listeners he also hopes Crikey will pursue the truth! After listening to Hadley talking to “David” this morning Wednesday. I reflected on this trusim, With great power comes great responsibility. Hadley says he wont sue Flannery, but he intends to pursue an apology. The story exposure will be on a pod cast ASAP. I hope Crikey.com puts up the pod cast, Edward James
Spot on Shane, just another bullshit story so they can give money out to thier mates. Soon it will be 2020 so they will come up with a story for that.
Why is it that all the Ray supporters on here have problems with spelling, writing and clear expression? Why do they support someone who is happy to fabricate stories about people? What would be your reaction if someone came up with a fabricated story about Ray? If its OK to make up a story about someone you don’t like, then surely you wouldn’t have a problem?
So can we draw the implication from this that anyone who believes in climate change should not live anywhere near water? And if they do, Ray will be onto them right away!!! Onya Ray!
Thank goodness this sort of redneck radio is not popular in Melbourne!
As someone with first-hand personal experience of Ray Adley’s mode of intimidatory operation, I can fully believe every word of Tim’s account. It’s only the knuckle-dragging, phlegm-frothed, sub-moronic cretins who actually listen to this bloviating buffoon who will ever rise to his defence. He sure as hell will run a girly mile from rising to yours.
Hi,
I’m new to Crikey.
I thought I’d check out the Tim Flannery accusation after listening to the Ray Hadley show today.
Firstly I listened to David and he denies working for Hadley he also denied all other accusations, he did say Tim arrived unanounced on his doorstep and tried to intimidate him while making accusations regarding Hadley and his listeners, redneck yadah yadah stuff with an inuendo of mass murder potential,
It seems pretty simple to me, Tim has been caught fabricating allegations.
I will be interested to see how Crikey responds to this.
Cheers
From a potential subsciber.
My first post….gee, so this is what a Marxist website looks like.
With all the lefties protesting about “The Murdoch Press”…it’s good to see what “The Media” will be like under a Labor/Greens coalition….print and broadcast nothing but lies!!
It’s a shame that this site does not follow it’s own mantra…to reveal the truth, not your version of it!!
But the most distressing matter is…….how many people just accept this “crap”……remember lefties don’t like Tall Poppies…..do they!!
*laughs* … my thoughts exactly! And remember, these are only the relatively intelligent ones who know how to read and write …
Oh no-now we are Marxists.
Raylene Hadley must have a team of regular fans who surf the net to defend their hero.
Nothing is proved either way but I’d put my money on Flannery merely because his version is far more plausible.
Raylene has slipped up though : by his own admission in his hysterical rant published elsewhere on crikey-he DID contact David after David left his number.
Oh dear oh dear. It appears that a few phlegm-frothed, sub-moronic cretins let their hatred of shock jocks get the better of them. Couldn’t wait to put the boot in and now here you all are standing in front of everyone with your pants around your ankles.
http://www.2gb.com/index2.php?option=com_newsmanager&task=view&id=10889
Sucks to be you ha ha. I think what we need is an inquiry into the left wing hate media in this country.
I wonder why people are so ready to support a person willing to fabricate stories about someone else? Hmmm what other pearls of wisdom can Panasonic Tim can share with us? Anyone know what his views are on climate change?
Regarding Bolt’s behaviour in providing a Google map locating Flannery’s property. I wonder how he would feel if that were done to him. I happen to know where he lives. Should I post the address? No doubt he’d be outraged.
crikey marxist? hah…whatever you do don’t visit glw, you’d have a stroke!
pure gold this whole thing, you can’t make this ish up
or apparently you can…..
You’ll have to forgive Hadley…he’s not the [snippest] [snip] in the [snip]box. He labours under the delusion that what he did to Flannery was in the public interest..sadly for that view,it’s all on tape.
Looks like Suzie TTH Blakey bought some of her “Clients ” along today , when they should have stayed in their English Class . Ray won’t sue , he is just full of himself and 2gb won’t stump up the cash. Crikey , we need a Troll Gate .
Ay am um…wun uv da nkukle drugging froffing bwain fwee apes who does hear stuf on radio box un buleev woteva mR Hadlee sez.
Seriously?
The tripe being offered in the vast majority of commentary of this issue is disgraceful.
Take a second, a deep breath and extract your head from that deep,dark place from which you believe the sun shines… Nah, can’t wait that long.
Cast aside your preconceived notions of Hadley and/or political leanings (if you can, which I doubt) and try some independent thought.
Personally, I believe Flannery should hand back his award and resign from his ludicrous post. Furthermore, Crikey should issue an apology and Hadley should pursue the matter in court.
Any spelling errors here, blowhards?
Even if Flannery’s side of the story was indeed true, what on earth was he doing fronting up to David’s front door with his wife in the first place? David on 2GB was simply putting a across a fact that Flannery purchased a house so close to the water and was asking if this was hypocritical. Why would Flannery come knocking on David’s door? Why didn’t he, say, lay a compliant with 2GB first, and then, not getting any satisfaction, then go off to the ACMA? It seems Flannery is an overly sensitive little petal.
I hope Ray Hadley sues the pants off Flannery. Given the facts on Ray’s program today, with all the notes and timings of the initial calls, and given the testimony by David, I’ll like to see a court rule on the facts and award a goodly sum of money against Flannery. Flannery needs to be exposed for what he is.
The call this morning from an outboard motor developer re Flannery using an environmentally unfriendly 2-stroke outboard motor on the Bismark during the filming of Two Men In A Tinny, after he was offered a subsidized non-polluting 4-stroke alternative, I supposed that was a setup too was it?
Flannery has either just brought a house close to the water on the Hawkesbury; or he hasn’t. (He has btw).
Have to laugh at the “now with more source” motto. Shame the “source” is rancid and reeks of red peppers. Seems it would be a fitting condiment for LEFTovers only.
PLEASE DELETE my trial subscription
So I wonder where the “possible subscriber” meme came from? Funny how many of those first posters coincidentally have only just come to Crikey &/or are considering subscriptions. Almost like someone suggested that would be a good part of an astroturf pitch… They do realise that such claims are not fooling anyone right?
Of all the 7.3 billion people on this sad little planet, why on earth would one choose to make their first and only line of defence the reputation of Ray Adley?
It’s depressing in extremis to think that there are actually life forms out there, probably breeding, which hang on his every mangled and mispronounced word.
This man breaks like a little girl.
Well….that was awkward.
@Colin Kennedy
“Of all the 7.3 billion people on this sad little planet, why on earth would one choose to make their first and only line of defence the reputation of Ray Adley?”
Oh look, there’s a unicorn!
Mr/Mrs Tolputt, I would suggest you are experiencing several visitations by individuals (such as myself) in your microcosm of this “sad little world” as it is the only method of refuting the monotonous opinions littering this webscape. Maybe the signature of “potential subscriber” is an attempt to appeal to the $$ thirst of the publisher?
Then again, maybe not…More to the point, why not consider the content of the comment rather than write it off as a troll footprint and consider that there may be alternative opinions other than your own. You may find it refreshing.
I for one, do not wish to become a part of your circle jerk.
Excuse me…”Sad little planet”.
Ever consider it may be carbon based lifeforms such as yourself that are pushing it in that direction?
@Lord Barry Bonkton
@ Archer
You must have missed it today. Flannery was shown to be a liar like Gillard, and to be a bully, by knocking on his neighbours door with his wife, intimidating him and further suggesting that Ray Hadley was inducing Norway style violence.
Flannery is the one that needs help here. He is getting $180k for 3 days a week work from lying Gillard and his liar has been exposed today. Open and shut case.
Listen to the podcast. Its Shocking
@ Lord Barry Bonkton & Archer
Listen to the Hadley podcast today and you will see who the liar is. Big time exposed
@ Lord Barry Bonkton & Archer
Listen to the Hadley podcast today and you will see who is telling the truth.
Big time exposed
Now there’s a disconnect….Adley and the truth
strangers to each other in so many ways
“The above claim was still uncontested in Wikipedia at the Flannery reference until I edited the page just now to reflect this information.”
LOL well that was a waste of effort wasn’t it? So did you go back there and clean up your own poop or did someone else have to do it for you ?