NSW: Money not important, bushwalker says

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2001
NSW: Money not important, bushwalker says

SYDNEY, April 24 AAP - A bushwalker who sold his story of survival in the Tasmanian
wilderness to a television network today said he was not concerned about the $50,000 spent
searching for him.

Ben Maloney was paid $10,000 by the Seven Network for the exclusive rights to his story
about his 37 days lost in the bush.

The 27-year-old told Radio National he was planning to spend his unexpected windfall
on research into the relationship between mathematical truth and religion.

Mr Maloney said money was not important.

He said he was aware the search cost rescue authorities about $50,000.

"I don't know whose pocket that came out of ... I'm not too sure, that's not my field
or area," he said.

"It's only money. Money's the least important thing in the world, it doesn't really
matter. It's really not my area of concern."

Last night the Seven Network's Today Tonight program broadcast the interview where
Mr Maloney defended himself from accusations that he was ill-prepared for the 10-day hike
in the wilderness.

The former soldier denied he should not have undertaken the bushwalk without a compass,
communication equipment or a sleeping bag.

"I knew where I was all the time. I knew exactly the place where I was all the time.

I can understand the public of Australia's opinion ... (but) I took the right gear."

During 37 days lost in some of the most remote and rugged terrain in the country, Mr
Maloney went 14 days without food, suffered dehydration and hypothermia and lost more
than 20kg.

Mr Maloney has faced a barrage of criticism for what has been seen as undertaking a
dangerous bushwalk without adequate preparation and then pocketing payment from a lucrative
television deal to tell his story.

He should not be rewarded for his "stupidity" by pocketing the proceeds of a lucrative
tell-all media interview, one of his searchers said today.

Greg Rubock from the Hobart Walking Club said yesterday Mr Maloney should donate any
proceeds of any media deals to the rescue organisations which searched for him.

"The fact that he's going to make a five figure sum is more or less a reward for his
own stupidity," Mr Rubock told Channel Nine's Today program.

"If he's got any conscience at all, he should send half that money to the Tasmanian
Police search and rescue people and the other half to our State Emergency Service (SES)."

Mr Maloney's ordeal ended last Friday when he stumbled upon a group of campers.

He was hospitalised with hypothermia but was basically in fine condition.

AAP maur/jjs/mg/sb

KEYWORD: BUSHWALKER DAYLEAD

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