Bob Brown’s Lapoinya protest charges dropped

TASMANIA Police has dropped the charges laid against former Australian Greens leader Bob Brown after he was arrested during a forest protest in January.

TASMANIA Police has dropped the charges laid against former Australian Greens leader Bob Brown after he was arrested during a forest protest in January.

In a statement released lastnight, Police Commissioner Darren Hine said he would not continue the prosecution under the Workplaces (Protection from Protestors) Act 2014.

Dr Brown was one of five people arrested after they entered a logging coupe as part of an ongoing forest protest at Lapoinya in the state’s North-West.

His actions were hailed by the environment movement, but labelled hypocritical by the State Government because the area in question was never earmarked as a reserve.

Bob Brown has had charges dropped. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

Dr Brown, 71, was arrested and charged under the Liberals’ anti-protest laws for failing to comply with a police direction to leave a business access area.

However, legal advice since sought on the matter has now lead to the charges being dropped.

“Tasmania Police has recently received information which suggests that the defendant was located on “business premises” and therefore the charge relating to being in a

“business access area” should not proceed,” Mr Hine said.

Police received the legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“In this case, the DPP observed that it was difficult for police officers to determine whether a person was in a business access area or on business premises,” Mr Hine said.

“As a result of the advice, four other prosecutions relating to the Lapoinya protests will be reviewed.”

Read more in today’s Mercury