Bob Brown Foundation launches lawsuit to make logging native forests in Tasmania illegal

The Bob Brown Foundation says the logging of native forests in Tasmania is illegal — and has launched a lawsuit to end it for good.

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ENVIRONMENTALIST Bob Brown has launched legal action aimed at ending all native forests logging in Tasmania.

Dr Brown, the former leader of the Australian Greens, has commenced action in the Federal Court claiming a most of the state’s forestry operations are illegal.

The lawsuit claims the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement between the state and commonwealth does not accord with the federal Regional Forest Agreements Act 2002.

“The RFA Act requires there to be enforceable environmental arrangements between Canberra and Hobart for forestry operations to ensure protection of endangered species,” Foundation lawyer Roland Browne said today.

“The Bob Brown Foundation’s case is that the RFA is not legally enforceable, especially for the system of reserves and the requirement for ecologically sustainable forest management.

Dr Brown said he hoped the legal challenge would put an end to native forest logging in Tasmania for good.

“This is a huge undertaking for us but everyone knows that the flattening and burning of native forests and wildlife is not ecologically sustainable. It is ecological death. The industry is based on a monumental lie and this challenge puts that lie to the test,’ Bob Brown said.

“We are buoyed by the Federal Court having found similar logging of rare and endangered wildlife habitat in Victoria is illegal, but the basis of our claim is a fundamental breach of the very federal legislation which gave legal sanctity to the Regional Forest Agreement.“

“It is high time Australia followed New Zealand’s ending of native forest logging two decades ago.

“We can supply all our wood from the massive plantation estate now available in Tasmania and across mainland Australia.

A Tasmanian Government spokesperson said it was inappropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.

“It is inappropriate to comment on legal proceedings but the Government has full confidence in the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement,” they said.

“Tasmanians can be reassured that our forests are sustainably managed with strong and comprehensive environmental protections.

“The Tasmanian Government is committed to continually improving the sustainable management of our forests while supporting a sector which employs thousands of Tasmanians, injects more than $1.2 billion into our economy and supports regional communities and families.”

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