Wednesday, 20 December 2006

MEDIA ALERT

Christmas elves call on Mr Lennon to protect the Weld and Upper Florentine valleys.

*MR LENNON'S OFFICE. 15 MURRAY ST. HOBART. *
11:30am TODAY

Christmas elves will converge outside Mr Lennon's office at 11:30am
today to protest against imminent destruction of the Lower Weld and
Upper Florentine valleys. The Elves will spend the morning supporting
the first of twenty three Weld activists, who will be appearing in
Hobart Magistrates Court.

"This action by the elves is conducted in solidarity with the blockades
set up to defend the pristine forests of the Weld and Upper Florentine
valleys" said spokesperson Warrick Jordan.

"These ancient forests are of world heritage value, and are under
immediate threat from industrial scale woodchipping," Warrick Jordan said

"In recognition of the threat to these World Heritage valued forests, I
have decided to give the elves the day off, to conduct this action in
solidarity with their brethren who are giving up time with their
families to spend the festive season defending forests of irreplaceable
bio-diversity. " Well known philanthropist and adventurer Santa Claus said.

"Our workshops require high quality, specialized timber products, not
woodchips from unique, globally treasured eco-systems. Ho ho ho" Santa
said.

The Christmas elves are bringing Mr Lennon some very special presents to
emphasise their serious concerns about unsustainable and destructive
forestry practices which are devastating Tasmania's natural heritage.

*Contact After 9am: Warrick Jordan phone 0413 732 946

*Santa not available for comment*