Two Tasmanian Forest Defenders sued for $12000

Media Release
29th November 2007

"Two forest activists will appear in Hobart Magistrates Court tomorrow, Friday 30 Nov, with charges relating to an action in the Weld Valley last August, where they climbed two cable loggers. Peaceful forest defenders are facing $12532 in costs claimed by the logging company and Forestry Tasmania," said Jenny Weber, Huon Valley Environment Centre.

"In the excessive pattern of pursuing peaceful forest defenders in Tasmania, like the Weld Angel, these two people are facing extreme claims by logging barons. It is the logging companies who owe a debt to Tasmanians for the endangered species and public forests they have destroyed," said Ms Weber.

"Cable loggers are only used in very steep terrain and are banned in other Australian states, these forest defenders halted logging in a 120 acre clearfell. It is their efforts that should be rewarded for their work for future generations, not penalized with exorbitant requests for further financial gain," said Jenny Weber.