Harriss Protest Bill: It works

*Pic: Premier Hodgman with the law’s architect, Resource Minister Paul Harriss …

Yesterday saw the first application of Paul Harriss’ Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Act 2014 when protesters were directed to leave a workplace pursuant to sec 11 of the Act.

Petrarch’s Bookshop and author Quentin Beresford were holding a book launch at the Tailrace Function Centre in Launceston when three protesters acting contrary to the provisions of Sec 8 entered a business premise with the aim of hindering or obstructing a business activity.

The activity of promoting and selling the book The Rise and Fall of Gunns meant the premises fell within the broad definition of business premises contained in sec 5 which includes premises used as a shop, market or warehouse.

Minister Harriss was unavailable for comment on the initial success of his controversial legislation.

John Lawrence’s Tasfintalk, HERE

ANNE …

Well, there can’t be too many book launches where the cops have to be called to cart away hecklers determined to disrupt the proceedings! A couple of pro-millers dressed in a panda suit, & some other moth-eaten costume designed to represent some (presumably endangered) animal, ignored repeated reminders by the MC the launch was a community and apolitical event, and please desist from interjecting, or making political comments.

So the cops duly arrived and escorted them from the room. But we were all entertained by the inimitable Peter Cundall, and his wonderful put-downs.

While it’s true the media have collectively been rather silent on the book’s release – here is at least one article that includes the call for an ICAC

http://www.news.com.au/national/tasmania/author-backs-calls-for-pulp-mill-royal-commission/story-fnn32rbc-1227211141166

And Quentin’s one word answer to the ABC radio’s final question on Drive on Friday – which was along the lines of ‘what do you think would be the reaction of the community if the pulp mill permits are sold?’

It was ‘Fury’.

About sums it up I reckon!

Cheers – and happy reading

• John Biggs, in Comments HERE: Rise and Fall of Gunns: The Grand Folly … Try reading it Karl. The book isn’t about Cousins but an extremely well documented account of the structural problems that have long beset Tasmania’s polity: a non-accountable alliance between government of either stripe, government departments, and selected corporations and through ruthless and undemocratic means given favoured companies a monopoly in Tasmania and steering public money into these private coffers. It’s been going on for a long time, forming a culture that has over-ridden due process and democracy. Beresford’s argument is compelling. That’s an important argument to get out and it could, emphasise could, lead to a sea change in Tasmanian affairs. If you are optimistic.

• Mercury: Turnbull attacked over Pulp Mill delay FORMER Liberal premier Robin Gray has warned against Malcolm Turnbull as federal Liberal leader. Mr Gray, 74, said Mr Turnbull’s decisions caused the failure of Tasmania’s Tamar Valley pulp mill by causing delays that led to it not going ahead. “He can’t be trusted to look after Tasmania’s interests,” Mr Gray said.

• See Lucas dressed as a panda … Examiner: Book launch disrupted Former state government candidate Brett Lucas, who attended the event dressed in a dog suit, compared former Gunns chairman and convicted insider trader John Gay to Winston Churchill.