Transcript – Interview with Bob Brown, Bob Brown Foundation, 3 February 2021
BB: This court case has gone against us. And we’re considering action as a result of that in the courts. The end of native forest logging in Australia is coming.
We have two important things behind us there. One is the wider public opinion, which backs what this foundation is doing. And the second, of course, is the common sense that we should not be unnecessarily destroying the very things that are important for us to pass on to future generations in terms of the wealth of species in the Tasmanian forests.
I’m very grateful to our legal team. This is taking legal action against laws that were designed by lobbyists for lovers is always difficult. It always has a risk element. But we’re not averse to taking risks because it’s the planet that is at stake. This will simply invigorate the campaign to protect Tasmania’s forests and wildlife. And I intend to be continuing to take with my fellow workers in this foundation a lead in coming to that in so we acknowledge the court decision. It is simply an interpretation of the pro logging laws of this country.
We’re very well aware of that Graeme Samuels, having done a full inquiry into the idea of Australia’s environmental laws, has recommended that the very situation we took the call that is the failure of the Tasmanian forest administration to respect the provisions of the EPBC act to protect Australia’s rare and endangered creatures should be abolished. That’s Graeme Samuels recommendation just this week. We stand right by that.
The courts made a different decision because it’s based on laws made under John Howard, which opened the way for the destruction of the very habitat, other very iconic creatures, which give Tasmania its worldwide reputation.
Journalist: Well, can you give us a bit of background on the case?
BB: Yes, we took this case because in the wake of a federal court decision in Victoria, that logging there was illegal where threatened species like the Leadbeaters possum were not being protected. We believe the same applies in Tasmania when it comes to the swift parrot, the Tasmanian devil and the world’s biggest freshwater crayfish, for example, astacopsis gouldi.
But we took a different legal case to the federal court. And the federal court hasn’t accepted that. We will be looking both at whether we seek leave to go to the High Court and what other avenues we will now take on the destruction of Tasmania’s iconic species by this totally needless and jobs-sparse logging of native forest industries in Tasmania.
Journalist: Explain the judgment to us in your understanding.
BB: The judgment is pretty simple. Three judges have agree that the Regional Forest Agreement is in fact an agreement and is legitimate. We went to the court saying the Regional Forest Agreements are not legitimate because they really aren’t enforceable by the federal government.
Now, Graeme Samuels looking at this very question has said this is a dud environmental process because federal government standards, week as they are, aren’t enforced through the Regional Forest Agreement. That was our argument, legally it hasn’t stood up. And it means the law must be changed.
So we’re going to appeal this. We’re looking at grounds for appeal to the High Court. We’ll also be looking at other avenues parallel to those for example, taken successfully in Victoria, where there’s a different Regional Forest Agreement in place as further direction down the line. But in the court of public opinion the decision’s already been made: the logging of native forests in Australia should stop. Simply, we need the politicians – Greens aside – in the Labor and Liberal Party to have the gumption to stand up for public opinion, rather than the rapidly failing logging industry, which is marauding native forests.
It’s very similar situation to 1978 when Malcolm Fraser stopped whaling. There were howls and cries of culture and jobs and so on at that time, (now) we’re all glad it’s finished. And the same will happen with native forests.
Journalist: The judgment from the federal court that the RFA is valid. Will you be adjusting your approach when you continue … (inaudible)?
BB: Now, we have not won this case. But it just it doesn’t alter our campaign to save native forest one iota. in fact it will embolden us. And I feel very, in the wake of a setback like this, I feel doubly resolved to have our fans at the Foundation, and the 1000s of supporters we have in Tasmania and around Australia and beyond, taking on the derelict remnants of the native forest logging industry in Tasmania.
Journalist: How do you feel to be arguing that the RFA is invalid?
BB: The courts found that the RFA is valid. It’s just that it’s hopeless, useless and environmentally destructive. And that’s what Graeme Samuels has found in his inquiry. So it’s valid. But it’s inappropriate, and counter-productive. And against public opinion in Australia in 2021.
Journalist: After this decision how do you feel?
BB: I’ve been in worse situations than this, for example, during the Franklin campaign, and while there was life in that wonderful, natural realm of Tasmania, we fought. And the Franklin runs free to the sea and Tasmania’s forests will be free of chainsaws before too long.
That that’s because that’s what the people of Tasmania and the people of Australia want, and it will happen. And this is a setback for us. But it wasn’t going to solve the issue of native forest logging. It did not mean that that would stop tomorrow; there was going to have to be a series of injunctive actions and so on to follow up. So, you know, it’s part of the process. This is a speed bump. But we’re moving right ahead.
Journalist: And there was an agreement to cease logging in some areas. Now that this decision has been handed down do you feel that will start again,
BB: Yes, as of 11 o’clock today, those injunctions no longer pertain. And so the Tasmanian government, and the logging industry can get back out there and start logging the trees in which swift parrots are nesting and feeding as they shove it to extinction, against public public opinion. And we’re on the side of the swift parrots, not the chainsaws. It’s as simple as that.
Journalist: Will your protesters be out in those areas?
BB: Well, we have no doubt that the protesters are out in the Tarkine right now. They were at Wentworth Hills yesterday, we’ll be keeping a watch on what happens for the north-east forests where the intention is to log those forests from under the swift parrots to send wood chips to China. That’s not something we’re going to give up on.
Journalist: You said the end is coming for native forest logging in Tasmania. Do you think it will come in time for the swift parrot?
BB: The swift parrot is in peril. It’s on the verge of extinction, it’s critically endangered. And it’s hour is nigh. And here we have a Premier and Leader of the Opposition who are saying ‘bad luck’. Just swift parrot who cares, we’re going to aid and abet the process driving them to extinction. As a society we can do better.
Journalist: Was this decision the last hope for those parrots?
BB: No. Now, even if the decision had gone for us, we’d have had to take further court action to protect those parrots and and their various breeding and feeding grounds around Tasmania. No, we knew we had big campaigning efforts outside the legal realm to proceed with. The legal approach to us is always a difficult one, because it is for the loggers, for the miners, the exploiters, not for the environment. So the other options are for us in campaigning. That means peaceful direct action backed by public opinion. It also means appealing to the public, as we do, through our forums, our public meetings, our rallies. And we’ll be having a meeting in the Town Hall tomorrow at 1230, just because we’re not people who are ever stopped by set backs like this, to explain where our campaign is going to from there.
Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 4 February 2021
Bob Brown Foundation launches next round to protect native forests
Bob Brown Foundation announced to a crowd of supporters in the Hobart Town Hall today that we have instructed our lawyers to prepare a special leave application to the High Court in the Great Forest Case.
“The forest industry called for a wake yesterday after the Federal Court decision and instead the Bob Brown Foundation held a celebratory launch of the next stage of its campaign including its move towards a High Court appeal,” Bob Brown Foundation’s Jenny Weber said today.
“Our foundation’s campaign to protect Australia’s native forests has gathered momentum since launching the Great Forest case, and we are going to keep building in this federal election year. For the forest wildlife including the critically endangered swift parrot, endangered species like the koala, masked owl, and wedge-tailed eagle, for the critical carbon storehouses and the vast forest heritage that Australia has, our foundation is dedicated to seeing the end to native forest destruction,” Jenny Weber said.
Media release – Guy Barnett, Minister for Resources, 3 February 2021
Federal Court ruling a great result for Tasmania’s forestry sector
The Federal Court’s ruling to uphold Tasmania’s existing Regional Forestry Agreement is a great decision for Tasmania’s sustainable forest sector and the thousands of jobs it supports, particularly in regional and rural Tasmania.
We have always stated that we have full confidence in our comprehensive Regional Forest Agreement and will fight to protect Tasmanian businesses, jobs and communities.
With the decision of the Full court of the Federal Court clearly backing our sustainable forest practices, I hope that the Bob Brown Foundation will accept the umpire’s decision and cease their destructive protest action that hurts Tasmanian workers and families.
It beggars belief that during the greatest health and economic crisis in a generation, the Bob Brown Foundation have tried to use legal wrangling to kill our sustainably managed forest industry and put thousands of hard working Tasmanians out of a job.
It’s now time for the Bob Brown Foundation to cease its green warfare and its green lawfare and respect the umpire’s decision.
Tasmanians should be proud of our responsible, sustainable Forest Management which employs thousands of Tasmanians, injects more than $1.2 billion into our economy and supports communities and families.
Shane Broad MP, Shadow Minister for Forests, 3 February, 2021
Court decision a win for jobs and forest industry
Tasmanian Labor welcomes today’s Federal Court decision on logging in the state’s native forests as a win for jobs and Tasmania’s well-managed forest industry.
Labor’s Shadow Minister for Forests, Shane Broad said the ruling against the Bob Brown Foundation would come as a relief to timber communities around Tasmania.
“Tasmania’s forest industry is responsibly and sustainably managed,” Dr Broad said.
“The Bob Brown Foundation’s increasingly desperate attempts to shut down the forest industry – aided and abetted by the hypocritical Greens – are shameful.
“They don’t care about the livelihood of families that depend on the forest industry and the court has rejected their arguments against the industry.
“The Greens need to put Tasmanian workers first and stop protesting in coupes that they signed off on logging.
“The Bob Brown Foundation and the Greens should respect the court’s ruling and end their crusade against Tasmanian workers.
“Labor strongly supports a viable, sustainable and ongoing native forest industry in Tasmania. We will continue to work with industry to support its growth and Tasmania’s forestry workers.”
Media release – Cassy O’Connor MP, 3 February 2021
Great Forest Case Decision
The Federal Court decision on Bob Brown Foundation’s Great Forest Case is deeply disappointing for Tasmania’s forests and threatened species.
It’s a setback but the decision won’t stop those who’re determined to end this senseless, State-sanctioned destruction.
In a climate and biodiversity emergency, threatened species like the swift parrot are already under intense pressure. The intensification of native forest logging under the Liberals, and supported by Labor, is driving them closer to extinction.
It’s clear our federal environmental laws are too weak to protect threatened and endangered species. Today’s decision doesn’t give the Liberals or Forestry Tasmania a pass. Science is science. Habitat destruction caused by logging has reduced the Swift parrot to an estimated 300 individual birds.
Any government that genuinely wanted to protect threatened species, or be taken seriously on climate, would already be working to end native forest logging. Instead, the Liberals are choosing to play cynical, dishonest politics at huge cost to the environment.
We applaud forest defenders from the Bob Brown Foundation for fighting so hard to protect these forests and creatures they sustain.
BBF may not have won today, but if anything this decision will only fuel the determination, courage, and strength of the conservation movement.
The Greens are proud to stand alongside Bob Brown Foundation and the vast majority of Tasmanians who want this island’s wild, carbon-rich forests protected from logging madness.
