ABC ONLINE
Australian Greens leader Bob Brown says he cannot afford to pay a $240,000 Forestry Tasmania bill, a move which could see him lose his seat in the Senate. Senator Brown was ordered to pay the money after losing a federal court case to stop logging in the Wielangta Forest in south-east Tasmania. He says he has been told he could end up bankrupt if he does not pay, meaning he would lose his Senate seat. Read more here
MERCURY
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Mr Rudd said he was upset for Senator Brown.
“I’ve actually got a lot of time for Bob, just as a person, (he’s) a bloke I’ve got to know over the years,” he told Sky News.
“I was quite distressed to see the news today.”
“I’m quite concerned about it for him personally.”
Mr Rudd said he hadn’t known about the debt problem until today.
Senator Brown said it was a difficult decision to publicly reveal his tenuous financial circumstances yesterday and appeal for help.
“But I have been deeply moved by the public response that has followed,” he said today.
“Thousands of dollars have been donated today by many individuals.”
Senator Brown said entrepreneur Dick Smith had even been in touch.
“Dick Smith rang me last night … he didn’t make any specific commitment but he wanted the number of my lawyers,” he told ABC Radio today.
“I’ve had other people who’ve called and a barrage of emails overnight, so we’ll see, but (donating) is of course up to them.”
Forestry Tasmania spokesman Ken Jeffreys said Senator Brown’s appeal for help to raise the money was a media stunt.
Read more here: PM distressed overr Brown’s legal plight
