Grassroots environmental group Groundswell have today shut down operations at Ta Ann’s veneer mill in Smithton, with a peaceful protest. The group are highlighting the ongoing loss of Tasmania’s forests by Ta Ann, 2 protesters are locked onto a conveyor belt inside the mill, completely shutting down operations. A number of other members of the group are present and holding a banner in front of the mill, which reads; “TA ANN – SELLING TASMANIAN FOREST DESTRUCTION”.
Ta Ann is a Malaysian-based timber company that has been accused of human rights violations and continues to destroy pristine rainforest in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Ta Ann has had logging contracts in Tasmania from 2006 and is the driving force behind the ongoing logging of old growth forests.
“Today’s protest is being held at the Ta Ann Smithton mill to oppose the ongoing devastation of Tasmania’s native forests just for the sake of a quick profit.” Groundswell spokesperson Dr Lisa Searle said.
“As the forest peace talks have carried on over the last 3 years, the destruction of Tasmania’s native forests has continued. The talks have so far failed to deliver any form of permanent protection and the future of these ecosystems hangs in the balance. .” Dr Searle continued.
“There is currently a very limited market for Tasmanian woodchips, and Ta Ann is driving the continuing destruction of huge tracts of forest. These forests are being clear-felled just to remove a few select logs for Ta Ann while low-grade sawlogs and woodchip-grade logs are being left behind to rot in these decimated areas.” Said Dr Searle.
The protesters will stay in place locked onto machinery until they are removed and Groundswell will continue standing up for the protection of our wild natural state.
A press conference will be held in Launceston with the group’s spokesperson in Princes’ Square, at 1pm today.
• Sarawak Report: Questions For SEB’s Tasmanian Vice-President (above) For Corporate Social Responsibility …
Nick Wright is the Australian from Tasmania who acts as Vice President at Sarawak Energy Berhad in charge of ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ (CSR).
In particular, he is in charge of the ‘re-settlement’ of tens of thousands of indigenous people due to be flooded from their homes by the damming of 12 major rivers.
So, surely it is time we heard from Nick about what he thinks of the appalling charade that has taken place in recent weeks with the response to the blockade at Murum (above) by the local Penan people?
Five years after this dam project got under way and just a few months from completion, these people have still not been given their rights to proper negotiation and settlement.
These rights are internationally recognised under UN protocols signed by Australia and Malaysia and now over 60 Malaysian and International NGOs have signed petitions condemning the project.
Does Nick Wright consider it suitable that the …
Earlier on Tasmanian Times:
• Earlier this year Ta Ann was revealed as a loss-making dog …
• Tasmanian company under pressure for human rights violations
• What the Libs would do about environmental protests, here
• SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK
Senator for Tasmania
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Industry and Science
M E D I A R E L E A S E
Monday, November 12, 2012
Ta Ann: Time to get rid of
protesters’ legal security blanket
A protest at the Ta Ann veneer mill at Smithton today is a stunning example of the double-standards afforded people who protest in the name of the environment.
Two environmentalists have locked themselves to the conveyor at the mill, completely shutting down operations.
“If any other normal citizen intentionally disrupted a legally operating business there would be serious consequences,” Coalition Forestry spokesman Richard Colbeck said.
“Just imagine the stink if an employer allowed an employee unauthorised access a piece of industrial equipment they had not been trained with, and in a way which is completely unsafe and unsuitable.
“There would be an immediate and thorough investigation and, quite likely, some eye-watering penalties handed out.
“That is rightly so. Now is past time to deal with this hypocrisy and these clear double standards.”
Senator Colbeck last week released a research paper by Parliamentary intern, Jenna Holmes, which compared and contrasted laws covering environmental protest in Australia and the United States.
The paper found that Australian law sheltered environmentalists while the US treated such acts on a par with terrorism.
The paper said each country’s laws were at the extreme end of a continuum, and urged a review of both.
“It is time the Federal and State Governments acted to review legislation that clearly affords some citizens greater protection than others,” Senator Colbeck said. “It’s a privilege these groups have enjoyed and they have abused it at every stage.”
• SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK
Senator for Tasmania
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Industry and Science
M E D I A R E L E A S E
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Ta Ann: Forest peace
hoax exposed again
A self-proclaimed environmental group, little more than a month old with about 130 ‘likes’ on Facebook, is trying to derail the future of Tasmanian forestry.
Coalition Forestry spokesman Richard Colbeck said it demonstrated the cruel hoax about claims of peace in the forests.
“The Anti Everything Non Government Organisations (AENGOs) are part of a complex network in Tasmania,” Coalition Forestry spokesman Richard Colbeck said.
“With the so-called peace talks in a precarious position, we see the emergence of a new group we know nothing about, with no political mandate, or credibility in the spectrum of the forest talks. This group’s spokeswoman Lisa Searle says she has no faith in the peace process.
“Make no mistake, this is part of a deliberate and co-ordinated process by the environmental movement nationally.”
Senator Colbeck said Greens and environmentalists needed to get their house in order if they wanted legitimacy.
“But don’t wait for that. These organisations are supported by significant privileges and are attacking our forest industry, fishing industry, mining and farming sectors.
“We’ve already seen one of the lead environmental forest negotiators Phill Pullinger also on the board of the Tarkine National Coalition – effectively having two seats at the table. Now we have Lisa Searle heading this new group. Last year she was the spokeswoman for ‘newly formed’ protest group, Code Green.
“These groups are playing a double-game, on one hand trying to take a legitimate seat at the table and on the other running this methodical, chaotic, disruptive strategy. The Greens and their AENGOs need conflict to justify their existence, why would they stop?
“But it is time to have their legal and financial privileges revoked. It is only fair they all play by the same rules.”
Senator Colbeck again called for a review of laws protecting people who protest in the name of the environment, and financial concessions given to environmental groups engaged in political lobbying.
