HOBART — On August 9, Tasmanian-based timber company Gunns Ltd was ordered to pay preliminary legal costs of nearly $87,000 to defendants, including Greens Senator Bob Brown and Tasmanian Greens leader Peg Putt.

Gunns, one of the world’s biggest woodchip corporations, is suing 20 forest activists — the “Gunns 20” — for at least $6 million for damages it claims its business has suffered due to forest protection campaigns. The case began in 2004 in the Victorian Supreme Court and the previous two writs have been thrown out.

Last August, the court ruled that Gunns had to pay the legal costs of the defendants, but did not make an assessment of the amount to be paid. Brown and Putt were awarded $69,385 between them, while another defendant, Helen Gee, was granted $17,544. “This ruling is a win for those being sued by Gunns”, said Brown. The court is yet to rule on the amount of costs for the other 17 defendants.

Linda Seaborn

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