Government urged to reflect on own dishonesty in defamation culture-war

The Wilderness Society today accused the Tasmanian Government of waging a clumsy culture-war in proposing new defamation laws that directly attack free speech and do nothing to progress mature, honest debate in Tasmania or a resolution to long running conflicts.

The proposed new laws are justified by tired, unsubstantiated rhetoric that claims dishonest campaigns have damaged business in Tasmania. This ignores the fact that Government, its agencies and some businesses themselves have been responsible for market collapse and deceptive behaviour.

“Government propose to arm business with what it needs to shoot the messenger and continue to ignore the real issues being raised by both the community and the marketplace,” said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for the Wilderness Society.

“While these laws are a clear attack on free speech they also represent a symbol in a sad culture-war the Government is determined to perpetuate through attacking, blaming, demonising and accusing those it doesn’t agree with, particularly conservationists.

The forestry debate is littered with tangible examples of deceptive and dishonest behaviours by Government, its agencies or companies. Some examples include:

• The Gunns 20 Case – thrice thrown out of court then abandoned
• Gunns critically non-compliant case for a pulp mill, then fast-tracked due to ludicrous claims of million dollar-a-day costs
• The Wielangta court case – the Judge found that former Forestry Tasmania executives and scientists ‘manipulated’ the evidence of an expert witness
• Prime Minister Abbott’s false claims about logging in the World Heritage Area that even contradicted his own internal departmental advice
• Premier Hodgman’s emphatic election promise not to subsidise Forestry Tasmania, now abandoned while teachers and nurses are sacked

“Government has zero credibility and demonstrates supreme hypocrisy to allege dishonest behaviour without producing a shred of evidence.

“There is no basis for this change to defamation laws and the impacts on Tasmania, its freedoms and the reputation of its industries can only be bad.”

“Gunns failed in both its SLAPP suit and the creation of a viable business. Similarly, these laws appear doomed and are bound to fail both industry and free speech in Tasmania.”
Vica Bayley, spokesperson for The Wilderness Society