Forest & Wood Communities Australia has applauded the Federal Court’s decision to throw out the media stunt court case staged by the Bob Brown Foundation in Tasmania.
The case centred on the legality of the Regional Forest Agreements which ensure timber harvesting is carried out under state-controlled environmental protections.
Lawyers for the BBF argued that the RFA was invalid, but they were loose on facts, as was the fundraising campaign which falsely claimed that there had been wildlife extinctions under the RFAs.
FWCA Director Kelly Wilton said the Court’s decision reinforced the fact that timber harvesting under the RFAs was sustainable and not the risk to the environment activists would have us believe.
“The court case was purely a publicity stunt designed to attract donations and membership to the Bob Brown Foundation which needs $750,000 just to pay its staff and costs,” she said.
“They have created a business out of catastrophising sustainable timber production and destroying the livelihoods of regional Tasmanians and the communities where they live.
“Now they have wasted Federal Court time and hundreds of thousands of dollars with this vexatious case.
“It would have achieved nothing other than greater reliance on plastic, concrete and timber sourced from countries which do not have the same high level of environmental control.”
Ms Wilton warned that Bob Brown’s vow to continue to disrupt workplaces with illegal protests would be met with demands for prosecution.
“Workers in our forests need to be aware that they can take action if they are harassed by workplace invaders,” she said.
“The regulator has been asleep at the wheel while corporate activists push people into dangerous situations which do not meet the most basic safety standards.
“It’s time timber workers were allowed to conduct their lawful operations without fear of witnessing or unwittingly made a part of tragedy.
“We invite anyone who is put into this position to contact FWCA as we will demand effective action.”