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THE AUSTRALIAN (Sydney, Australia) 23 February 05 Irwin stunt sparks new croc laws (Rosemary Desmond and Nikki Todd)
(AAP) Steve Irwin's decision to hold his baby son near a crocodile has sparked a review of Queensland Government croc enclosure guidelines.
The State Government today released the new rules prohibiting children and any untrained adult from entering crocodile enclosures.
In January last year, Mr Irwin, the 'Crocodile Hunter', held baby son Bob close to a crocodile at his Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast.
The incident was captured by television cameras, sparking an international outcry and a review of crocodile handling practices.
Queensland crocodile expert Mick Pitman said he had spent a lifetime hunting crocodiles and would never have allowed any of his three children near the reptiles, for hygiene and safety reasons.
The only time a handler should enter an enclosure would be to clean it out, he said.
"They are probably one of the filthiest animals you could get," Mr Pitman said.
"We are talking about a maneater and it should be treated with the respect it deserves."
State Industrial Relations Minister Tom Barton told Parliament an extensive review of crocodile handling practices with industry leaders, including Mr Irwin's Australia Zoo, had led to the new guidelines.
"A child's reflexes, depth perception and ability to react in an emergency are far less well-developed than an adult's," Mr Barton said.
The only time a child will be able to enter an enclosure is under a strict, long-term training program that ensures safety controls.
The enclosures will also be off-limits to adult members of the public and untrained parks employees, while a system of exclusion zones has been developed for those working near the reptiles.
An audit of crocodile farms and exhibitions will be conducted in the first half of this year to ensure the safety measures are being met.
Australia Zoo, north of Brisbane, declined to comment on the government guidelines.
Irwin stunt sparks new croc laws

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION 24 February 05 Zoo group welcomes safer croc encounters
The association representing Australia's zoos has applauded new guidelines for people working in crocodile enclosures.
The Queensland Government has introduced new measures to make exhibits off-limits to spectators and untrained staff.
They were made after Australia Zoo owner Steve Irwin took his baby son into an enclosure on the Sunshine Coast last year.
Kevin Bradley from the Australian Regional Association of Zoological Parks says the guidelines are helpful.
"We're all governed by a duty of care to ensure the safety of our workers and the general public," he said.
"These guidelines clearly indicate the steps that might be taken to ensure that.
"Certainly there's now more clear and accurate provision that correct training records for those accurate definitions for the competency of people that work in crocodile enclosures."
Australia Zoo has declined to comment.
Zoo group welcomes safer croc encounters