Wandella forest blockade
The South East Forest Alliance launched a blockade of Wandella State Forest in NSW's far south on May 10. Although the area is under assessment for wilderness classification, it is being decimated by logging by State Forests.
Felicity Wade from the Wilderness Society said, "This is depressingly reminiscent of Coolungruba. State Forests deliberately ripped the guts out of the area, undermining its wilderness qualities before any political decision could be made." The blockade is the first since Premier Bob Carr set aside 250,000 hectares of forest in 1996 and established the "forest peace".
Meanwhile the blockade in Victoria against logging of Goolengook River's spectacular old growth forest is in its second year. The amendments to the Heritage Rivers Act (retrospectively validating logging in the area) are expected to be passed on May 12 or soon after.
Budget protest
HOBART — Around 25 people joined a candlelight vigil protesting against the federal budget on the May 13 outside the Commonwealth Offices here. The participants also condemed the lack of new employment opportunities and the government's recent attacks on workers.
Louise Crawley of the Tasmanian Greens spoke on the effects of the budget on the environment and the lack of consideration of people's needs. Lyn Fitzgerald from the Tasmanian Trades and Labour Council also spoke, urging people not to re-elect the Howard government in the next election. The group then marched to the intersection of Collins and Harrington Streets to distribute leaflets to motorists.