Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 24 June 2021
HIGH COURT ‘SENDS SHOCKWAVES THROUGH AUSTRALIA’S ENVIRONMENTALISTS’
The High Court rejection of a Bob Brown Foundation request to appeal against the Federal Court’s validation of Regional Forest Agreements will send shock waves through the majority of Australians who want our forests saved, Brown said today.
“The bizarre state of affairs where Commonwealth responsibility for protection of endangered species and their habitats under the EPBC Act is deferred to state agencies devoted to destroying them is upheld in this decision.”
Graeme Samuels’ October 2020 report on the EPBC Act, commissioned by this government, commences with “Australia’s natural environment and iconic places are in an overall state of decline and are under increasing threat”. Samuels recommended that the RFAs go. Environment Minister Sussan Ley rejected this along with Samuels’ recommendation that she set up an environmental police force – a green ‘cop on the beat’. Our most powerful environmentalist is destroying our most vulnerable wildlife. This is ecocide in broad daylight by the Morrison government,” Brown said.
“The RFAs are a spectacular failure in protection of forests harbouring a long list of birds, animals, insects and plants headed for extinction, including koalas, Tasmanian devils, black cockatoos and greater gliders,” Brown said.
“The Greens alone oppose the exclusion of forest logging and incineration from environmental law. The politicians, not the judges, are at fault. Voters can decide on this at the next federal election.”
“An excellent outcome of this ‘Great Forest Case’ was halting logging in swift parrot habitat on Tasmania’s Eastern Tiers in October 2020. There’s no sign it will resume.” But Brown and fellow forest defenders face Tasmanian courts in July after being arrested while halting the logging.
“Support for the ‘Great Forest Case’ has been phenomenal. The public loves its forests and understands their importance in the climate and biodiversity crises. But PM Morrison is with the chainsaws, not the public. Today’s abysmal High Court decision highlights his failure to protect the threatened iconic forests and wildlife of our nation,” Brown said.
Tasmanian academic and writer, Pete Hay, arrested with 3 others in Tarkine protest
A team of veteran cricketers from The Thylacinians have taken to the crease to defend takayna/Tarkine from MMG’s proposed heavy metals tailings dam.
Pete Hay, Androo Kelly, John Button, Ian Terry, and Rod Headlam have blocked the road access to the proposed site in a show of opposition to the destruction of National and World Heritage value rainforests.
“This is my island. These magnificent forests are my heritage. I reject the claimed right by a company that is foreign-owned to priority. Especially as there are alternatives option for where to put this tailings dam,” said academic, writer and former state and federal government advisor Pete Hay.
“I am trying to stop this blatant, unnecessary, and ill-founded proposal. The fact the Commonwealth have not approved the current works, speaks to the flawed process,” said Tasmanian devil conservation pioneer Androo Kelly.
“In a few months I will be 70. I am entering grandfather territory. Increasingly I am concerned at the adverse impact of climate change and what this might mean to my children, their children and future generations. Over the course of my lifetime, we have collectively done our best to ruin the place, rather than provide proper stewardship,” said Mr Button.
“I have been on this Earth to be a caretaker of this planet. What’s happening here at MMG’s proposed tailings dam site is sheer vandalism, a practice I feel I need to do something about,” said Mr Headlam.
“I have spent ten years working in the Tasmanian bush and for 35 years it has been a significant place of recreation, renewal and spiritual growth for me. Now it is time to give something back to this same bush, to make a stand to protect what is precious to everyone, not just an international mining company,” said Mr Terry.
The team was joined by volunteers from Bob Brown Foundation.
Media release – Guy Barnett, Minister for Resources, 24 June 2021
High Court decision reaffirms Tasmania’s RFA
The Tasmanian Government welcomes today’s High Court of Australia decision to dismiss the Bob Brown Foundation’s (BBF) Special Leave Application regarding the Tasmanian Regional Forestry Agreement (RFA).
This decision reaffirms the ruling of the Full Bench of the Federal Court and cements the validity of Tasmania’s RFA, beyond doubt.
The destructive intent of the Foundation’s case at the Federal Court, and now the High Court, has attempted to bring into question the legality of Tasmania’s RFA. They have failed.
Tasmania’s RFA is underpinned by a strong and comprehensive Forest Management System that delivers ecologically sustainable forest management.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government has full confidence in our comprehensive RFA and will always fight to protect Tasmanian jobs, maintain Tasmania’s important environmental values and ensure the sustainability of our forests.
Our forestry industry employs thousands of Tasmanians and injects more than $1.2 billion into our economy and provides the sector with much needed certainty.
With no further avenue for the BBF to appeal this matter, I sincerely hope they accept the umpire’s decision and cease their relentless campaign against Tasmanian workers and their families.
