In December 2004, Gunns sued Senator Bob Brown, the Wilderness Society and 18 others as a result of the campaigns to protect Tasmania’s forests.
During the next five years, Gunns suffered a series of legal losses and capitulated against many of the defendants, paying them over $1m in costs. Author and ‘bush lawyer’ Greg Ogle was the Wilderness Society’s Legal Coordinator during this time, organising and coordinating their legal response to the case.
Gagged tells the inside story of the defence of the Gunns 20 case, and of a number of other similar, but no less dangerous, law suits.
In a personal account of more than a decade defending so-called ‘SLAPP suits’ over the Hindmarsh Island bridge, battery hens and the Tasmanian forests, Greg tells the history of the cases and their impact on the defendants and the community. This passionate portrayal illustrates the effect of such litigation on free speech and political protest, and makes an eloquent call for law reform to ensure that these incursions on civil liberties never happen again.
In March 2009 Gunns settled its claim against the Wilderness Society, paying the environment group $350,000. Gunns recently settled the case against another two defendants, leaving only four remaining in the case.
Greg will be in town to launch his book in Hobart and Launceston.
Hobart
When: 1pm Monday 7 December
Where: Wilderness Society Shop, Salamanca
Launched by Dr Frank Nicklason, Gunns 20 Defendant
Launceston
When: 6pm Monday 7 December (combined with Christmas party)
Where: Launceston Campaign Centre
Paul Oosting, Wilderness Society
