Skippy won't be on the menu for world leaders attending next month's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on the Sunshine Coast, after a ban was placed on kangaroo steaks for the four day gathering because eating roo-meat might be seen as "insensitive. "

This is because  the more than 50 leaders, including Britain's Tony Blair, will be getting up close and personal  with Australia's fauna at a zoo featuring  roos and koalas to be built  for the conference on the grounds of the Hyatt Regency Coolum  resort,  where CHOGM is to be held.

An Australian-theme beach barbecue is expected to be a highlight of the meeting, beginning on March 2.

Kangaroo steaks are a favourite dish on the resort's grill menu.

But resort marketing and communications  manager Susan Hunt-Holmes said roo-meat would be banned because of concerns some leaders might be offended.

"If they're having an Australian zoo, it may not be in the best interests to be having kangaroo on the menu, " Ms Hunt - Holmes said. "And of course we also have kangaroos on the golf course.

" Executive chef Josef Miklavc admits he was told to drop kangaroo from the beach barbecue.

"I got some direction not to put it on the menu. So no Skippy," he said.

CHOGM  was originally to be held in Brisbane last year but the meeting was postponed and moved north the Coolum after the September 11  terrorist attacks.

About 8km of  2m security fencing is likely to be used to surround the  150 ha Sunshine Coast complex to allow the world leaders freedom to use the resorts' golf course and private beach. Other beaches in the area will also be closed.

Construction has already begun on 30 additional buildings at the resort including a huge marquee for the opening ceremony.

And another thing - page 12 Editorial

If kangaroo steaks are off the menu at next month's CHOGM meeting because those furry creatures are so cute, why not exclude beef as well. After all, cows are  sacred in India, CHOGM's largest member country.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR 5.4.02

Skippy banned from the CHOGM menu (4/2) - we have lost a great opportunity to  showcase how delicious and healthy a kangaroo meat alternative would be  to the environmentally destructive sheep and cattle industries.

Gabrielle Tindall,
Bellingen NSW
Long time kangaroo industry proponent