Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 1 May 2021

Gutwein’s fiery finale

Sections of Tasmania are blanketed in smoke this evening as government-sanctioned forest fire-bombing is unleashed after a largely fire-free election period.

Eleven ‘regeneration’ burns were set off near Burnie and another three in the south near Geeveston. Residents under the smoke plumes saw a blood-red sunset.

“It is pretty disgusting,”

environmentalist Bob Brown said.

“It appears to be the most savage forest fire-bombing session this year and comes after almost all votes were in the ballot boxes of Tasmania.

I guess we can count on a blitz of the clearfelled forests with napalm-like incendiaries in coming days and week now the election is over.

It shows the level of respect the Gutwein government has had for both Tasmania’s native forests and for the people, including tourism business operators, who have to suffer this totally unnecessary pollution.

There has and will always be some burning-off necessary at this time of year. These logging mega-burns are never necessary and cut right across the image which makes Tasmania so attractive.” Bob Brown said.