Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 16 December 2020
Bob Brown re-arrested
Former Greens Leader and Senator Bob Brown was arrested in Tasmania’s northeast highland forests again this morning, twenty-four hours after his first arrest for stopping logging of Swift Parrot habitat.
In a significant act of defiance, Brown was arrested with two fellow forest defenders – Bob Brown Foundation’s Campaign Manager Jenny Weber and retired Organic Gardener Kevin Vaughan.
Brown was released on bail to appear in Hobart’s Magistrates court on March 31st, 2021.
Speaking outside Bicheno police station Brown said, “Much bigger protests will put an end to native forest logging across Australia. As with whaling in 1978, the rising public animosity to destruction of wildlife habitat and the forests themselves will end this completely unnecessary and jobs-sparse industry in coming years.”
“I slept out last night under a logging bulldozer which had invaded the Lost Falls forest where, this morning, we saw owls and I heard one of the 300 remaining Swift Parrots. It was rainy, with temperatures down towards zero, but we were content just to know the Swift Parrot habitat destruction was slowed by us being there,” Bob Brown said.
“Citizens are doing the job of parliamentarians who can protect all habitat for the critically endangered Swift Parrot instead of feeding their homes to the woodchippers. Along with many others, I’m dedicated to halting logging of these wildlife-rich native forests in this age of climate and biodiversity crisis while the agents of extinction authorise the ongoing destruction of nature,” Jenny Weber said.
Media release – Guy Barnett, Minister for Resources, 15 December 2020
Protests destroying regional jobs
It is extremely disappointing to hear that radical protesters from the Bob Brown Foundation are once again disrupting the rights of Tasmanians to earn a lawful living.
These dangerous protest actions cost Sustainable Timber Tasmania, private contractors and individual workers thousands of dollars every day, and require police to redirect resources from important community safety activity to remove people from machinery and gates.
During the greatest health and economic crisis in a generation, it is simply astounding – but sadly not surprising- that the Bob Brown Foundation is actively trying to destroy Tasmanian jobs.
And if the hypocrisy wasn’t bad enough, these protests are taking place on Permanent Timber Production Zone (PTPZ) land specifically set aside by both Houses of State Parliament.
We stand by Tasmanian workers and businesses, which is why we are committed to protecting the rights of law-abiding Tasmanian workers from extremist protesters through our Workplace Protection laws, despite opposition from Labor and the Greens.
We will continue to stand up for Tasmanian workers and our renewable, sustainable forestry industry that contributes around $1.2 billion to the Tasmanian economy and supports thousands of jobs, many in regional areas.
Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 15 December 2020
Bob Brown arrested defending Swift Parrot
Today Bob Brown has been arrested halting logging in North East Tasmania. The forest is documented habitat for the critically endangered Swift Parrot. Senator Peter Whish-Wilson and Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O’Connor joined Bob Brown in the contentious forest but have been moved on after being given a police direction. Three other people still remain locked onto logging machinery, halting all work.
“Here in the forest alongside me, is a 16-year-old woman showing more gumption for Australia’s environment than a Prime Minister. Not yet old enough to vote but more intelligent and caring than the whole of Morrison’s cabinet room put together,” Bob Brown said.
“I’m here today because it is my moral duty to protect these amazing native forests and wildlife, particularly the critically endangered Swift Parrots. I’m fighting to protect this land for the future generations and people less fortunate than me. Climate change is a human rights issue and I’m fighting for the people who need a safe climate,” said Harriet O’Shea, one of the three Australian Climate Strike co-initiators.
