Bob Brown Foundation forest activists are rolling into a second week of protests to protect native forests against logging in Russell Ridge, southern Lutruwita / Tasmania.
After last week’s arrest of Ruth Langford in these same forests, fifteen people are present this morning to protect more than 20 hectares of native forests that are being clearfelled by Forestry Tasmania.
“Enough is enough,” said Colette Harmsen, Bob Brown Foundation forest activist.
“Forestry Tasmania needs to immediately stop their criminal destruction of our precious environment. These ancient forests are worth more standing.”
Harmsen, who has convictions for previous protest actions, remains concerned about the destruction of forests which are home to threatened species and a carbon sink that can help mitigate the climate crisis.
“It is imperative that we stop native forest logging for good in this country,” she said.
“I am also here protesting about the anti-protest laws in this country, which are appalling,” said Rob Kelman, who was attached to a logging machine this morning to prevent the forest destruction.
“These outrageous laws, designed to silence peaceful protests, are pushing people like me, a law-abiding citizen, to risk arrest.”
Jenny Weber, Bob Brown Foundation’s Campaign Manager, viewed the Forestry Tasmania use of security guards to sit on a gate on public roads an an attempt to hide ‘environment and climate crimes’ from the public.
“The gate that locks up the Russell Ridge forests should be opened, the destructive logging machines need to be evicted and the precious ancient forests that remain there must be left standing – for the wildlife, for all Tasmanians and for future generations.
“It is time to end native forest logging in Australia.”
Police evicted forest activists and arrested Aboriginal community leader Ruth Langford Tipruthanna on Thursday last week at a protest against logging in yellow gum forests on the western side of the Kunanyi / Mt Wellington range.
“I am acting to uphold my cultural obligation to protect country,” said Langford at the time.
“Country that encompasses the natural systems and cycles that provide for us all. I am choosing to not simply stand by and watch the destruction of one of the few intact native forests left in south-east Lutruwita. It’s imperative that we change the archaic logging practices to ensure that we protect our water catchments and that we choose a way that makes better economic sense.”
The protests come after Labor’s candidate for the federal division of Bass was apparently forced to ‘walk back’ comments she made supporting ending native forest logging in the state.
On Thursday, during a live radio interview with ABC Northern Tasmania, Labor hopeful Jess Teesdale conceded she wanted to see the state government end the practice.
“The federal government’s focused on allowing states and territories to make those decisions [on native forest logging], and that will continue,” she said.
When pressed on her views, she said she would like to see the practice stopped.
Reporter: You’re putting that pressure back on the state government to make a decision there, would you like to see the Tasmanian state government end native forest logging?
Teesdale: [long pause] Yes.
Later the same day, first-time candidate Teesdale issued a statement of ‘clarification’.
“The Albanese Labor government is not changing its policy on native forestry logging,” the text read. “These are state forests managed by the Tasmanian Liberal Government. We support the jobs and the communities that rely upon this industry.”
The BBF congratulates Teasdale for ‘speaking up for forests on behalf of most Labor voters’.
“It’s shameful that Albanese’s federal ALP stymied Ms Teasdale’s voice with its anti-environment agenda which is supported by Dutton’s Coalition but not the majority of Australians,” commented Jenny Weber.
