Tim Holding's scuba dive lands him in hot water

Victorian Premier John Brumby has defended his adventuresome Tourism Minister for diving on an off-limits sunken wreck, months after he was almost killed in an alpine hiking accident.

Tim Holding has come under fire for scuba diving on the recently scuttled HMAS Canberra, in Bass Strait, before the site is declared safe and opened to the public.

It comes less than three months after he was plucked from the wilderness after being lost, feared dead, on a solo ascent of Mt Feathertop.

Mr Holding, a certified diver, is believed to have dived with parliamentary Labor colleague Michael Crutchfield.

He said he was inspecting progress on preparations for the wreck to become a recreational dive site.

The Premier said the dive was within the scope of his duties as Tourism Minister...[Link]