Australia prepares for Irwin's public memorial

The only empty seat at Steve Irwin’s personal stadium at Zoo Australia tomorrow will be the one set aside for the late and hugely popular Crocodile Hunter, who will be bid farewell at a public memorial service to be broadcast around the world.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard is expected to be among the more than 5,000 people who will attend the service at the wildlife park Irwin owned in eastern Australia, though the entire country is expected to mark the event.