The news a forest protester will be detained in prison for the next two months is deeply disturbing. This should not be happening in a free and open democracy.
It’s 2024 and with climate change the world is heating dangerously. Despite this, Liberal and Labor politicians are still encouraging the logging and burning of native forests, which release millions of tonnes of emissions each year, and put Tassie’s iconic wildlife at risk.
Across the mainland and around the world governments are acting to protect forests for their biodiversity and carbon stores. Rather than following this pathway for a safer future, both major political parties are pushing to go harder on native forest logging.
Instead of protecting Tassie’s forests, Liberal and Labor politicians are happy to see Tasmanians jailed for engaging in peaceful protest. It’s appalling.
The Liberals’ anti-protest laws are a blight on our democracy. These laws stand in stark contrast to the values Labor formed around, and we call on them to commit to supporting their repeal in the next Parliament.
