Media release – The Wilderness Society Tasmania, 3 July 2023

Importance of wilderness & World Heritage acknowledged by Minister Plibersek on Franklin 40th anniversary

Forty years on from the momentous high court decision to prevent the damming of the Franklin River during the Hawke Labor Government era, Australia’s current Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek MP, shared a message of support and celebration.

On 1 July 1983, Australia’s High Court sided with the Australian Government, led by Bob Hawke, and against the Tasmanian Government that was trying to dam the Franklin River.

The 40th anniversary of this landmark decision is still regarded as the definitive environmental protection campaign in modern Australian history.

As well as Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s video, the event featured eminent speakers, including Franklin River campaigners, Aboriginal leaders, legal advisers and Wilderness Society founders and staff.

“Wilderness Society welcomes Minister Plibersek’s timely comments about wilderness and World Heritage, and  the importance of Federal Government leadership in protecting the environment,” said Tom Allen for the Wilderness Society (Tasmania).

“Minister Plibersek reminds us all that it was the Hawke Government that was prepared to stand up for the Franklin River, and that it is important for governments to back nature by ensuring strong protections are fairly applied, and for conservation and cultural heritage to be fully restored to the primacy of decisions about World Heritage.

“This continent’s globally-significant landscapes have never needed more protection than they do today. The Franklin victory continues to bring people together. We look forward to more opportunities in future for environmentalists and nature-lovers of all backgrounds to celebrate environmental leadership together. Nature will be better off if we can,” said Mr Allen.

For further comment contact Tom Allen on 0434 614 323

Transcript of comments in video by Tanya Plibersek

“Hello, I just wanted to join you in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Franklin dam decision.

“It was a monumental and historic decision that has contributed so much to the beautiful wilderness of Tasmania.

“It was so important to see environmentalists out on the frontline of that argument but it also shows how important it is to have a government that backs nature.

“It was the Hawke Government that first ran with this policy during an election campaign, that legislated for it once we were in government, that was prepared to stand up for the river, through court processes.

“And because of that decision, 40 years ago, by the Hawke Labor Government, Tasmania is a better place, Australia is a better place and I’d say the world is a better place.

“So thank you to all of you who were involved in the original campaign and thanks to those of you who are celebrating this historic event today.”

Speakers, from left to right – see list below:

  • Tabatha Badger, Master of Ceremonies and Convenor, Wilderness Society Tasmania

  • Geoff Law, World Heritage consultant

  • Cassy O’Connor MP, Tasmanian Greens Leader

  • Pierre Slicer, legal advisor to Franklin campaign (and subsequent Supreme Court Judge)

  • Christine Milne, former Australian Greens Leader

  • Bob Brown

  • Jenny Weber, Campaign Manager, Bob Brown Foundation

  • Michael Mansell, Palawa Leader

  • Tom Allen, Campaign Manager, Wilderness Society Tasmania

  • Statements were also read out at the meeting from Puralia Meenamaata / Jim Everett, a Franklin blockade veteran, and Oliver Cassidy, who made the recent Franklin film.