Originally Posted by The Courier-Mail

Payback call to freed hostage
21jun05
THE Federal Opposition last night called on freed Australian hostage Douglas Wood to consider repaying taxpayers for his rescue mission from proceeds of the sale of his story to a television network.

The Greens said he should donate the proceeds to Iraqi charities such as those looking after war orphans.

US resident Mr Wood was reunited with his family in Melbourne yesterday – five days after he was released by his kidnappers following 47 days in captivity.

In a press conference the 63-year-old engineer apologised to US President George W. Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard over comments made under duress during his captivity, and said his rescue was "proof positive" that the two countries' policy of training Iraqi forces was working.

Mr Wood, who said he would consider returning to Iraq to pursue business opportunities, refused to give fine detail on his captivity.

It was later announced he had sold the story of his capture and rescue to Channel 10 for an undisclosed sum.

Foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd said last night the Opposition was delighted Mr Wood had been freed.

Asked whether it was appropriate for Mr Wood to sell his story, Mr Rudd said: "I think that ultimately it's a matter for Mr Wood and his family. I'd hope they'd be having a discussion with the Australian Government given that this effort has cost the Australian taxpayer a lot of money."

Mr Rudd said he had noted that the Wood family had repeated it planned to make a donation to an Iraqi charity – something it promised during his captivity as part of its bid to win his release.

It should be accompanied by "appropriate consultations" with the Government.

A spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer said it was unclear how much of taxpayers' money had been spent on attempts to rescue Mr Wood.

Sources said the figure would "almost certainly" be at least several million dollars.

A spokesman for the Wood family said last night Mr Rudd was "jumping on the talkback bandwagon".

"Douglas would pay that amount and more to erase those 47 days of his life," he said. "Any Australian citizen should expect appropriate protection from the Government."

Mr Rudd disagreed with the view that Australian policy in Iraq was working. He said the number of people taken hostage in Iraq and the number of civilians and soldiers killed by car bombs showed the security situation was not improving.

Greens leader Bob Brown said Mr Wood was wrong in his analysis of Australian policy and it was unfair that he profit from his experience.

"I think Mr Wood is fortunately home, but there's 850 Australians who aren't," Senator Brown said, referring to Australian troops in Iraq. "Rather than just saying God bless America I would just say God bless those Australian troops and let's get them home."

He said Mr Wood should donate the money he made in his deal with Ten to humanitarian causes in Iraq, such as children who had lost their parents in the conflict.

"Mr Wood is very, very fortunate that he is free," Senator Brown said. "Iraq is suffering terribly. I don't think Iraq should be seen as a place where we can profit."

Originally Posted by Buck Fush

Also, Who is/are "The Greens"?

Originally Posted by Buck Fush

Also, Who is/are "The Greens"?

Originally Posted by verbose

I don't know how much it's worth, but I know what it sells for. "Freedom costs a buck-oh-five."