Let’s keep Adani protests peaceful as Bob Brown’s convoy heads north

Bob Brown, veteran anti-development campaigner and former Greens senator, is leading the Adani protest convoy just as he led the protests against the Franklin Dam.

THE protesters against the Tasmanian Hydro-Electric Commission’s plan to dam the Gordon-below-Franklin River numbered about 2500 and shut down the progress of this development. It remains one of the most dramatic environmental protests in Australian history.

The anti-dam protesters gathered at Warners Landing and dug in, prompting Tasmanian police to make more than 1200 arrests – many of whom were people who had been arrested once, released and then picked up again for breaching bail conditions.

Many working on the dam and locals from nearby communities made their opposition to the protests known, but they were overwhelmed.

It will be interesting to see if the convoy heading to central Queensland to protest against the Adani mine west of Moranbah can swell in size from the 1000 who had gathered by the time the group arrived in Brisbane yesterday, and if they can rekindle the anti-development sentiment seen in Tasmania 36 years ago.

Bob Brown, veteran anti-development campaigner and former Greens senator, is leading the Adani convoy just as he led the protests against the Franklin Dam.

There is every chance inflamed emotions will erupt when the ragtag anti-mine mob – mostly from prosperous inner-city suburbs in southern capitals – reach the mine. Businesses in Clermont – the last central Queensland town the protesters will pass through on their way to the mine site – have ripped up the welcome mat, saying the environmentalists will not be served and will be shunned when they arrive.

Meanwhile, the protesters are getting hysterical, using messaging groups to liken jobs in the Adani mine to working for the Nazis in World War II. We can only hope tempers are calmed before the two sides get near each other later in the week and any risk of confrontation is minimised and kept to an exchange of views.

We do not support the anti-development views of those in the convoy, but they do have a right to protest – which is a cornerstone of our democracy and the basis of freedom of expression.

However name-calling, abuse and ad hominem attacks will only provoke equally strong reactions from people who know what it’s like to battle for a job – to watch as economic cycles shut down businesses and force people on to the dole and into the arms of charities.

At the same time, local businesses in places such as Clermont can serve or not serve whomever they like, but they also should follow the tenets of non-violence and be content to make their views known without disrupting the activities of those in the convoy aggressively.

Those in the convoy will be in Queensland for about a week before they turn around and head for a final rally in Canberra in two weeks. While we are not going to wish the protesters well with their destructive, anti-jobs agenda, we do not wish them any ill-will.

We might not support what they’re doing, but we hope they travel safely and protest peacefully while they are here.

Get in early for flu jab

Queensland has already had 8691 confirmed flu cases in 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Sam Mooy

THE last thing many people would be thinking about at Easter is the spread of influenza and whether it’s too early to go for a jab.

The early signs are not good. Official statistics point to the potential for widespread instances of influenza this year – and that’s well before we reach what’s normally the peak period of infection and illness in the late winter and early spring months.

Queensland has already had 8691 confirmed flu cases in 2019, which is more than half the 15,692 instances on the books for 2018.

Last year was the lowest number since 2013, but all the signs are any downward trend is being reversed.

Immunisation expert Paul Van Buynder, of Griffith University, is worried by statistics showing the predominant strain turning up at GPs’ offices and hospital emergency departments is influenza A, which historically is always associated with very high rates of infection and illness.

So far this year, 689 people have been admitted to public hospitals with the flu. Of these, 59 required intensive care treatment.

These admissions of higher than usual flu patients have contributed to the all too apparent pressure on public hospital emergency departments seen in the first quarter of this year.

Health officials are issuing a dramatic plea for people to get in early and have their annual flu shot. Even more important is for parents to make sure their children are immunised – taking advantage of the free vaccination scheme for them and other sections of the community more readily susceptible to influenza.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Sam Weir, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details are available at www.couriermail.com.au/help/contact-us