Sam Newman on controversial guest: ‘He’s researched it for eight years and that is an interesting thing for someone to say’

A man who claims mass murderer Martin Bryant was set up by the government has been given a platform on Sam Newman’s podcast because Newman says “people might like to hear different opinions”.

Sam Newman has defended giving airtime to a Port Arthur conspiracy theorist, saying he’s just a conduit for people with “different opinions”.

Newman, who in February gave a platform to neo-Nazis Thomas Sewell and Blair Cottrell on his You Cannot Be Serious podcast, last week spoke with Paul Moder, an actor and ‘film armourer’ who claims Port Arthur massacre murderer Martin Bryant was innocent and was set up by the government.

Moder spruiked his unsubstantiated beliefs that there was a cover up for roughly 40 minutes.

“I’m only the conduit for people who might like to hear different opinions out in the community whether they’re right or wrong,’’ Newman told the Herald Sun.

Paul Moder on the You Cannot Be Serious podcast with Sam Newman.

Newman has defended interviewing Moder.

“He’s researched it for eight years and that is an interesting thing for someone to say. The ABC and other shows all interview controversial people about all different subjects. I do the same.”

The mass shooting on April 28, 1996 at Port Arthur, was carried out by Bryant with 35 people killed and 23 wounded.

Among the victims were Nanette Mikac and her daughters Alannah, 6, and Madeline, 3, with their father Walter Mikac setting up a foundation in the girls’ honour.

The massacre led to a significant overhaul of Australia’s gun laws, resulting in a national firearms agreement, a gun buyback program, and stricter licensing and registration requirements.

Newman copped significant backlash after the neo-Nazis chat but he isn’t fazed.

Newman poses with notorious neo-Nazis Blair Cottrell and Thomas Sewell. Picture: X

“I’m looking for people who’ll come on and speak,’’ he said.

“I get plenty of suggestions, I wanted Sam Groth to come on but he said no because the Liberal Party wouldn’t approve. I don’t say I agree with these people, these are conspiracy theories.”