The Greens, Press Release
Peg Putt MHA
Greens Opposition Leader
Thursday, 11 May 2006
51 DAY TREE SIT OVER BROKEN PROMISE OF FOREST PROTECTION
Helicopter Assault Used to End Styx Tall Tree Protest
The Tasmanian Greens today said the crusade to protect Tasmania’s forest heritage was ongoing after the Prime Minister broke his promise of forest protection, and praised the efforts of community forest campaigners in the threatened forests of the Styx and the Weld Valleys to draw attention to the forest destruction.
Greens Opposition Leader Peg Putt MHA reminded that Peter Firth had succeeded in highlighting to Australia the plight of Tasmania’s threatened forests, by occupying a tree sit up a tall tree in the Styx Valley for fifty-one days, resisting all efforts to remove him until a helicopter and the police State Capability Group were deployed today.
Ms Putt said the Prime Minister had broken his promise to protect 18, 700 hectares of the Florentine and Styx Valleys, instead slating only 4, 730 hectares for protection – with no new reserves yet formally declared.
“Outstanding forests are still under threat in Tasmania despite the PR spin of industry and government, and these community campaigners have made valiant efforts to alert Australia to the destruction of this ancient, living heritage,” Ms Putt said.
“Peter Firth has heroically clung to his perch up a tall tree in the Styx Valley for fifty-one days, enduring high winds, sleet and snow until the police State Capability Group used a helicopter to remove him.”
“The outstanding values of the Styx and Florentine Valleys were recognised by the Prime Minister when he promised to protect 18, 700 hectares there during the last Federal election, but he has broken that promise in a deal with Paul Lennon which wound back the area to only 4, 730 hectares, none of which has yet received formal protection.”
“Bulldozers and chainsaws are still wreaking havoc in our precious forests, and community campaigners in the Weld Valley have put themselves on the line to highlight the destruction of world heritage valley ecosystems and of wedge-tailed eagle habitat,” Ms Putt said.
