From AAP
Tree-top sit-in, 'cabaret' to continue
February 14, 2007
ENVIRONMENTALISTS say they will continue their "tree-top cabarets" and
anti-logging protests in Tasmania's southwest, as industry groups call
for more police to throw them out.
The Tasmanian Forest Contractors Association (TFCA) and the Forest
Industries Association of Tasmania (FIAT) claim the actions are costing
loggers and sawmillers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Green groups, including The Wilderness Society and the Huon Valley
Environment Centre who are fighting to prevent current logging at the
Upper Florentine and Lower Weld valleys, say it is their duty.
Trapeze artists tonight will swing from ropes high in trees on a
bulldozed road leading into the Upper Florentine Valley, while canopy
tree sit-ins are maintained to guard against logging machinery.
The Wilderness Society, which organised the event, claims it will be
spectacular and provide valuable environmental education for children.
But the move has frayed the tempers of industry heavyweights.
"These protest activities cost harvesters and sawmillers big money, and
the Tasmanian public loses out as well," TFCA executive officer Ferdie
Kroon said.
"Current actions are not only dangerous to protesters, but also
endanger the lives of the harvesting operators, their supervisors and
even the police."
Mr Kroon said children were being used in the protest, increasing the
safety risks and complicating efforts to negotiate an outcome.
"The presence of children makes it more difficult for harvesters to photograph protesters' illegal activity," he said.
He said the Tasmanian Government should provide more police and workplace officers to protect the operations.
But a spokesman for state Police Minister David Llewellyn said the force was already heavily resourced.
"It is up to police how they use their resources," he said.
Wilderness Society spokesman Vica Bayley said the TFCA and FIAT were trying to divert attention away from their obligations.
"We are the ones who have had machinery reversed towards us and had ropes cut to tree-sits," he said.
"We always engage in non-violent protests and, in this case, we are doing so in the face of extreme provocation."
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