Andrew Patrick Browne, 70, fined for trespassing, locking self to digging rig in Serpentine Ridge

A retired vet who locked himself to a digging rig to protest drilling near a river in Tasmania’s west has been slapped with a fine – but this was not his first time before a magistrate. DETAILS >

A group of protesters were found near a mobile digging rig at a mining lease area in west Tasmania.

A retired vet who locked himself to a digging rig to protest mining work near a river in Tasmania’s west has been slapped with a fine – but this was not his first time before a magistrate.

Hobart Magistrates Court on Wednesday was told that on March 6, 2023, 70-year-old Andrew Patrick Browne and four other protesters from the Bob Brown Foundation were found at a mobile drilling rig at a mine lease area at Serpentine Ridge, near the Wilson river.

A staff member had found the chain which had secured a gate to the area had been cut before spotting the group.

Browne was seen to be locked on to a mobile digging rig, which was near a large steel container of water.

Police prosecutor Melanie Baker told Magistrate Chris Webster that the drill could not be operated while Browne was locked on, and that he had refused to leave.

Browne pleaded guilty in Hobart Magistrates Court to a single count of trespass (vehicle). Picture: NCA NewsWire / Richard Jupe

“He said his reason to be there didn’t like how close the rig was to the river,” Ms Baker said.

Search and rescue resources were sent to the site at about 2pm, where the group was again asked to leave.

It was then that Browne unclipped his wrist from the rig.

He was arrested and charged with a single count of trespass (vehicle).

When asked if he had known what happened to the chain on the site gate – which had been cut by a grinder – he said he didn’t know anything.

“He said he was there for a cause he felt strongly about,” Ms Baker said.

Browne pleaded guilty to the charge.

His lawyer told the court that their client had retired from a 34 year career as a vet in Melbourne more than a decade ago.

They said Browne’s protest was in relation to works carried out by Venture Minerals close to the Wilson River.

“My client’s actions in this protest were peaceful, and nonviolent,” the lawyer said.

They asked Mr Webster to consider the balance between deterrence and the “right of all citizens to engage in legitimate protest”.

Mr Webster noted that Browne had appeared in court in October 2022 – five months before the protest at Serpentine Ridge – and had been fined $362 with no conviction.

Mr Webster said he presumed the previous appearance had been over a “similar matter”.

“ … Why shouldn’t I give him a conviction?,” Mr Webster said.

Browne was fined $500, with a conviction recorded.