Bob Brown protesters won’t be deterred by ‘anti-protest’ laws

Stiffer fines and jail terms for workplace trespassing. What the government’s new “anti-protest” laws mean for Bob Brown Foundation activists + gallery of the groups latest antics.

Bob Brown Foundation protesters insist they will defy the government’s new “anti-protest” laws despite the stiffer fines and jail terms for illegal workplace trespassers.

The new laws passed Tasmania’s Legislative Council last week after independent MLCs agreed to support it on the condition they water down some of the harsher penalties.

Dr Brown said they wouldn’t try to fight the laws in the High Court, having been advised by their lawyers that it would be difficult to challenge and cost around $500,000.

However, Dr Brown said they would carry on their protesting activities even if it meant facing tougher fines and jail terms.

“We will be peacefully continuing to defend Tasmania’s forests in the absence of a government that’s doing that job on behalf of the Tasmanian people,” Dr Brown said.

“It’s a big decision for us, the foundation, but particularly for the majority of Tasmanians and Australia who want the last of the nation’s great forests and wildlife protected.”

He said around 80 of their activists had already been arrested while protesting in the Tarkine forests alone.

The new laws cover workplace trespass as well as those who shackle themself to construction equipment, fences, land, or otherwise disrupt work.

Bob Brown Foundation protest at tarkine. Picture: Bob Brown Foundation.

Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson said the Workplace Protection laws would allow workers to get on with their jobs without being harassed by illegal trespassers.

He said the Liberals were “gutted” that Labor did not support this legislation, but they still managed to get it over the line with the help of “sensible independents”.

Mr Ferguson said he was all in favour of lawful protest, but drew the line at illegal trespass and workplace disruption.

Deputy Premier Mr Ferguson said he was all in favour of lawful protest, but drew the line at illegal trespass and workplace disruption.

“It’s no surprise that the Bob Brown foundation continue to believe that they should have one law that applies to themselves and a different law that applies to everybody else,” he said.

“I think it does highlight the importance of stronger penalties, which we’re now achieving through our stronger, illegal protest legislation.

“If people want to deliberately break the law, that’s highly regrettable and they shall face the consequences.”

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