" Bounty Hunters " in Australia ?

The hunt for Malcolm Naden has certainly got the attention of most Australians.  Some compare him to " Bear " Grylls, the TV personality who seems to have solutions to all the dangers of the wild - but Naden is wanted for murder, the disappearance of another woman - and a serious sexual assault.

Living off the land is no problem to him.  He has successfully evaded capture for six years, roaming inaccessible bush north of Newcastle and occasionally breaking into remote farm houses to steal food, firearms - and his most desired items - torches and spare batteries.

Earlier this week the police nearly got him.   They were closing in on his bush camp when he shot an officer in the shoulder - and made his escape.   Searching police have been joined by units of the Australian army, including special forces with advanced skills in setting up ambushes and stalking terrorists - and the government has increased the reward for Naden's capture from $ 100,000 to $ 250,000 dollars.

Not since the hunt for legendary bushranger Ned Kelly has the government offered such a generous reward - and while it has not been stated - there is the implication that Naden's presentation to authorities is on a " Dead or Alive " basis.

It seems possible that such a reward for a criminal will for the first time create the formation of " bounty hunter " groups or individuals in this country - and that could cause problems.

There is the risk of confusion - and accident - if a mixture of police, army and private individuals are all seeking the same fugitive in dense bushland - far from emergency services.   There are many with bush skills in this country, but such a big reward can also attract those with lesser skills but big ego's who will quickly find that they have bitten off much more than they can chew.   

Naden is a desperate man - and he has clearly shown that he will use deadly force to avoid capture.  It could easily lead to a reversal - where the hunters become the hunted !

Then there is the legal aspect.  In the event that a bounty hunter bags his man - and in the process the fugitive loses his life - there is no clear indication of legal vindication.   All such deaths result in a police enquiry, and the individual circumstances could result in the bounty hunter facing charges.

Perhaps this search should have been left to the one group of people trained and skilled to hunt an enemy in difficult terrain - and to avoid detection while setting up ambushes.    Our special forces have skills beyond those of the police - and Naden fits the role of the terrorists they hunt in overseas wars.

Unfortunately, that big reward is likely to make a difficult situation worse !