Sue Neales Mercury
A public gathering1 on Thursday night in Hobart canvassed what inspires citizens to become activists. Organised by the Tasmanian Greens, the symposium inevitably had a focus on environmental protests and protection. But the issues presented were much broader and more intriguing than the morass of claims, counter claims and spin that too frequently characterise the local forestry debate. More fundamentally, behind the experiences of well-known national activists and whistleblowers, such as former Australian Army corporal and intelligence officer Andrew Wilkie and octogenarian Melva Truchanas, were issues central to any society committed to free speech and justice. … For others it was about free speech, good governance and a sense something of inherent importance to Tasmania was under threat. Such ideas have occupied centre stage in Tasmania’s politics during the past four months. Rebel Labor member for Elwick, Terry Martin, said as much in a stirring speech to the Legislative Council in March2 … “But it wasn’t (politicians’ comments) that shocked me,” Mr Flanagan told a recent anti-pulp mill rally in Launceston. It was the way the media seemed more than happy to run with the government spin, and the way most people thought I was who they were being told I was. And I was far more upset by this than I could have believed possible.”3
1 Here those activists tales
2 I will therefore be voting against the bill
3 Take it back
Flanagan Archive
