Podcast with Sam Newman and the author of the Wasp Files (Port Arthur Massacre)

4 months ago
1.43K

In 1996 a gunman opened fire with a semi-automatic military weapon in the Broad Arrow Cafe, Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia killing 35 people and wounding 18. The government of the time, led by John Howard PM, together with the mainstream media of the time, quickly pointed the finger at Martin Bryant as the gunman with doctored photos of him made to look like Charles Manson over the front pages of all the major newspapers. Howard and the media quickly discouraged discussion about the event using the excuse that "talk about it was too distressing for the victims families". Martyn Bryant was subsequently jailed for life, without a trial. The government and police files were then locked away from the public's eyes for 30 years, with that being extended to 90 years in 2024. So what are they hiding? And how did a young, effeminate man with an IQ of 66, who in his own words said "guns scared him" carry out such a hideous crime all by himself? Why were the only 2 police officers on duty that day on the other side of the island looking for drugs after a 'tip-off', that only turned out to be soap powder? Why did it take first responders 5 hours to get to the cafe when Tasmania's capital (Hobart) is only a 1 hour drive away? So many questions and so few answers. What really happened on that fateful day? In this podcast Sam Newman interviews the author of the Wasp Files who has interviewed eye-witnesses who were present on the day.

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