Nationals leader Matt Canavan slams ‘fake’ BBC coverage of 2032 Olympic rowing drama that showed video of WA river

UK broadcaster BBC has been accused of fake news after featuring a “scary” crocodile in a story about proposed 2032 rowing site the Fitzroy River, prompting calls for an apology.

The giant reptile is highlighted on a BBC social media post on central Queensland’s Brisbane Olympic venue, asking: “Would you go rowing in this river?”.

However Nationals leader Matt Canavan has claimed the footage was taken at Western Australia’s Fitzroy River - about 3,500km away.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli also weighed in on Monday, dismissing the BBC report as he defended his decision to declare the controversial site was “signed, sealed and delivered” for 2032.

“I’ve heard (about BBC post). It’s the latest in a series of reports (about venue) that I would describe as a croc,” Mr Crisafulli said in Brisbane.

The BBC post provided coverage of the Rockhampton venue - a well known crocodile habitat - being endorsed by World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide for the 2032 Games.

Under the headline “River with 500 crocodiles chosen as Olympic rowing venue”, the report notes saltwater crocs can grow in excess of six metres but Brisbane organisers had played down the concern.

However footage credits reportedly reveal the menacing crocodile in the story was filmed in WA.

Senator Canavan called on the BBC to apologise and retract the story, saying the “fake crocodile vision” was from the other side of the country.

“The BBC’s video used stock footage from the Fitzroy River of scary looking crocodiles - it just was the Fitzroy River in Western Australia,” he said in a statement.

‘’This overseas junk clickbait report has been seen by millions and spread total lies about Queensland – it must be stopped.”

Rockhampton-based Senator Canavan warned international media any fake reports would come back to bite them, saying the site was the “perfect choice” for 2032 rowing.

The Queensland government had been under pressure to reconsider the rowing venue since pitching it in March 2025, prompting debate over the Fitzroy River’s safety, fairness and legacy.

However Mr Crisafulli said the venue had passed an independent technical assessment and was being endorsed by the respective rowing and canoeing world governing bodies.