Protests against forest agreement

Issue 

Protests against forest agreement

By Tony Iltis

HOBART — The signing of the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) on November 8 provoked a week of angry protests by environmentalists.

The RFA gives $70 million to the logging industry; accelerates logging in the southern forests, the Great Western Tiers and the Tarkine; and increases national park lands only from 20% to 21% of the state.

The agreement was signed by John Howard and Premier Tony Rundle in the town of Perth, near Launceston. A peaceful picket of about 50 environmentalists outside was attacked by police.

On November 13, protesters hung a banner stating "RFA — Rundle's Forest Atrocity" from the roof of Parliament House, prompting hysteria among Liberal and Labor politicians and the media over the "security breach".

The Tasmanian Greens are considering putting a motion of no-confidence in the government over the agreement, but did not support two such motions from the ALP.

While Labor has used the issue to score points against the government and the Greens, its own position has swung wildly between supporting the RFA, opposing it because it allows too much logging and opposing it for not allowing enough logging.

The Wilderness Society will continue to organise actions against the RFA which will also be a major focus of Everyone for a Nuclear Free Future's march and rally on November 28.

ENuFF activist and Resistance member Kylie Moon pointed to the hypocrisy of the Howard government's promotion of uranium as an alternative to greenhouse gas-producing energy sources while supporting the fire-clearing of Tasmania's forests.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.