BY GEOFF FRANCIS
HOBART — Environmentalist Sarah Bayne turned herself in to the Hobart magistrates' court on February 6 for non-payment of a $5000 fine imposed in 1998 after she was arrested in a protest at Mother Cummings Peak.
Bayne had already been sentenced to 52 days imprisonment for refusing to pay the fine. The sentence, if carried out, would have been the most severe handed out to any environmental protester in Australia.
When Bayne arrived at the court, she was accompanied by over 70 supporters and a large media contingent. She fully expected the sentence to be carried out. However, the intelligent, articulate and telegenic Bayne didn't quite fit the image of the demonic protester that the government and Forestry Tasmania like to depict.
The court settled for releasing Bayne with a 51-day suspended sentence and six months to pay the original $5,000 fine. Instead of having the matter resolved as expected, the environmental protester left the court with the matter still hanging over her head.
All along, Bayne has made it clear that she will not pay the fine. "My protest was an act of conscience", she said before entering the court, "and paying the fine would feel like an admittance of guilt where no guilt is due. I acted in clear conscience, and felt I had little choice in doing what I did. I hope my time in jail will force people to think about the issues involved."
"It is important for Australians to know that our old-growth forests are still being logged for woodchips at an unprecedented rate."
What happens now is unclear. Some activists have suggested that it would be very convenient for the government if, during the next six months, an anonymous benefactor was to pay off the $5,000 fine — with or without Bayne's consent.