Media Release

25 February 2008

Weld Angel Victory in Tasmania's fight for Ancient Forest

Today in Hobart Magistrates Court, the claim by Forestry Tasmania against Allana Beltran, the Weld Angel was dismissed.

Financial compensation was being sought by Forestry Tasmania from Allana Beltran for her peaceful protest in March 07 to highlight logging of old growth forest in the Weld Valley. Forestry Tasmania were claiming costs for over $2000.

"This is huge victory for non violent forest defenders who stand up for the defence of Tasmania's ancient forest. Forestry Tasmania have ruthlessly pursued Allana for the past eight months, using thousands of dollars in taxpayers money, in an attempt to silence criticism of their extreme logging practices. The huge public support for the Weld Angel is a sign that the majority of Tasmanian's are unhappy with the destruction of these iconic forests," Huon Valley Environment Centre's Jenny Weber said.

Support for the Weld Angel has not only come from Tasmanians but also from across Australia and around the globe. Recently international exposure for the plight of Tasmania's forests and the case against Allana Beltran, with a double page colour spread of the iconic weld angel photograph, was published in the February edition of Italian Vanity Fair.

The Mercury article:

Costs bid against angel thrown out
MARIA RAE
Law reporter

February 26, 2008 12:00am

FORESTRY Tasmania has lost its controversial costs claim against Weld Angel Allana Beltran.
Magistrate Peter Dixon dismissed the application for compensation yesterday because it was not filed early enough.

The company had been seeking just over $2000 from Ms Beltran after her dramatic tripod protest at the entry to the Tahune AirWalk last March.

The claim was for the hire of the crane that got Ms Beltran down, the hire of forestry equipment that could not be used, revenue loss from discounted tickets to the AirWalk and food Forestry Tasmania provided to police and other workers.

The magistrate said the application was not filed "as soon as practicable".

But he said if it had been, he would only have found in favour of the claim related to the crane.

Ms Beltran, who is moving to Newcastle because of family illness, welcomed the decision and vowed to continue speaking out about logging in old-growth forests.

"I am such a believer in what I do and people who stand for what they know is right," the 22-year-old artist said.

"To know I am speaking out about what is right and just for myself and everyone else on this planet keeps me going."

She said the case, which featured in the European edition of Vanity Fair magazine this month, had sparked international interest in Tasmania's forests.

"It's been so incredible and I feel very fortunate and lucky to be sued and put in a position where I can speak out," Ms Beltran said.

"But I'm really happy it's over."

Forestry Tasmania spokesman Ken Jeffreys said the principle behind the case remained valid.

"No one has the right to prevent others from going about their lawful business," he said.

While further legal advice will be sought, Mr Jeffreys said the likelihood of pursuing the claim in the civil courts was low given Ms Beltran's personal circumstances.

Ms Beltran's lawyer Roland Browne had argued in the Hobart Magistrates Court yesterday there was insufficient evidence to show Ms Beltran had caused the financial loss that Forestry Tasmania claimed.

Forestry Tasmania's lawyer Brett Cassidy said the delay in lodging the application occurred because the prosecution file had been misplaced.

The bid to get compensation began last September when Forestry Tasmania made an initial claim of $6200 against Ms Beltran.

Tasmania Police also sought $2400 but dropped the claim on the advice of the Solicitor-General.

It prompted lawyers to describe the claim as an unusual and unprecedented move while the Greens condemned the action.

The application followed Ms Beltran's plea of guilty to charges of committing a nuisance and failing to obey a police officer's direction.