More than 4000 people protested on March 23 in Tasmania against governments allowing the logging of native old-growth forests. The protest in nipaluna/Hobart was the largest turnout of the 12 protests across the country, organised by the Bob Brown Foundation (BBF).
The BBF estimated that more than 9000 people joined protests across the country.
BBF spokesperson Jenny Weber said Labor is in “lockstep with Peter Dutton” to fast-track changes that will weaken national environment laws.
“The world is in climate and extinction crises, but Australia’s forests that are carbon storehouses and home to rare and endangered species are being relentlessly logged.”
The changes will have a disastrous impact on endangered species, increase global heating and allow toxic salmon corporations to continue their business, she said.
Logging had significantly increased since 2014 in the only breeding habitat for critically endangered swift parrots, Weber said. In NSW, logging continues to endanger koalas and greater gliders.
Protesters in Gadigal Country/Sydney said timber workers should not be left without a job, but should be retrained.
“People expect governments to rule for the people, not corporations,” Weber said. Brown said politicians must address forest protection before the election. “If you don’t, you won’t get our vote.”
Aotearoa New Zealand ended logging of native forests in 2002, as did Thailand in 1989. It shows it can be done, Brown said.
melb_forests_2_mat_h.jpg
forests_adelaide_bbf.jpg
canberra_forests_bbf.jpg
forests_byron_bay_bbf.jpg
forests_cairns_daniel_john.jpg
sydney_forests_brian_mahony_3.jpg
sydney_forests_brian_mahony_4.jpg
