Murray Watt’s lifeline to loggers won’t save native forests, says Bob Brown Foundation, as forest protests continue in Lutruwita/Tasmania.
‘As the ALP try to rush through substandard environment law changes this week, the native forests of Australia will not be saved unless Albanese’s government provides secure protection to Australia’s precious forests,’ said Jenny Weber, Bob Brown Foundation Campaigns Director.
‘Species like the endangered greater gliders that I saw in NSW logging coupes last night and the critically endangered swift parrots breeding in Tasmania’s forests need logging to cease immediately. Forests are our climate heroes and biodiversity lifeline – they must stop being flattened every day,’ said Ms Weber.
Forest defenders
Bob Brown Foundation says forest destruction has been halted today in Wakaywirinu, Tasmania’s Central Highlands, to defend and preserve this sub-alpine forest country, which is suffering the fastest clearing of native forest in Lutruwita / Tasmania.
The slow-growing forests of this high-altitude area are being rapidly flattened and turned into severely degraded regrowth forests, destined for future destruction.
Anthony Houston is blocking access to the forests, with fellow forest defenders occupying the logging road to a forest labelled BD052A by Forestry Tasmania.
‘I grew up on a farm at Ouse, so I know this country,’ said Mr Houston.
‘When I was a kid, it was wild, but in my lifetime, the forest has been decimated by an industry that is losing money. Native forest logging is in its death throes and even the industry knows the future is in plantations. These beautiful forests are the lifeblood of the planet. It’s our home – why would we destroy our own home?’
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
