http://www.bigpond.com/news/breaking...05/1732886.asp
Peter Beattie says he will consult with the family before deciding on how to honour Steve Irwin.
Emotional tributes are continuing to flow for Steve Irwin, the "Crocodile Hunter", who was killed by a stingray in far north Queensland yesterday.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says there has been an outpouring of sympathy for the family and many calls for the State Government to acknowledge Irwin's contribution to tourism and conservation.
Mr Beattie says a state funeral is one of several options being considered to recognise Irwin's work, but he will wait to hear the wishes of the conservationist's family before making any decisions.
"Obviously there are many options, that's one. But it's not a matter for me to canvass those publicly," he said.
"It is important that we talk to his family. They are grieving. It would be quite wrong to do anything other than discuss this with their family over the next few days, and we do not intend to rush this at all."
Queensland Coalition leader Lawrence Springborg says Irwin seemed invincible.
"No one would have thought this possible and even though Steve Irwin put himself into very interesting and challenging situations, nobody even thought that this was possible," he said.
"Steve Irwin was a larger than life character, he had such a charisma and such an energy about him that people like myself thought he was absolutely invincible."
Mr Springborg has expressed his sympathies for Irwin's wife and children.
"The impact obviously is going to be dramatic, not only on Queensland and Australia, but more importantly on his family and the thoughts and prayers of Queenslanders and Australians should absolutely be with his family, because this is a most difficult and harrowing time for them," he said.
Mourners continued to lay flowers and light candles at the gates of Irwin's Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast last night.
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