In Coffs Harbour today, more than 500 people rallied and marched calling for an end to native forest logging. Eleven rallies are happening around Australia as part of our nationwide actions for native forests.
Twelve Federal ALP members of parliament had forest vigils held today as we mark the second day of our three days of actions.
“The Coffs Coast community showed today that they want serious action to protect our public native forests. In excess of 500 people turned up in support of our Mid-North Coast forests and they have had enough of the forests around them being decimated by Forestry Corp NSW. Critical Koala habitat, that is intended to be preserved for a proposed Great Koala National Park, is being logged for woodchips at an accelerating rate while the Government continues to mislead everyone on koala protections.” Said Jonathan Cassell, Bob Brown Foundation Coffs Harbour Rally Organiser.
“We will continue to protest for our Mid-North Coast forests and we are heartened and overjoyed to kick off the nationwide rallies today with such a strong attendance at the Coffs rally. The people want change and we say to the Albanese Government – it is time. Do the right thing, save the koala, and end native forest logging right now.” Said Coffs Harbour Rally Organiser Jonathan Cassell.
Peaceful vigils for forest protection were held outside twelve Federal Labor MP’s offices around the country including Senator Helen Polley (Launceston), MP Catherine King (Ballarat), MP Kristy McBain (Bega), MP Tanya Plibersek (Sydney), MP Gordon Reid (Gosford, Tweed Heads and Port Stephens.
For the past six weeks, citizens have been lobbying Federal ALP MPs, asking them to end native forest logging at the upcoming National Conference and beyond. Twenty-three MPs have been met with, with the seven vigils today contributing to our constituent-led lobbying efforts.
“For the past few months, we have been working with supporters all around the country, training and equipping them with the skills to speak with their Federal ALP about native forests. These lobbying efforts are an integral part at driving change and encouraging the ALP to move on forests. We will continue to have a constituent-led lobbying effort until the ALP government end native forest logging and provide secure protection for Australia’s native forests,” said Molly Coburn, Bob Brown Foundation’s National Community Organiser.
“The message we are sending to the ALP is that ‘it is time to end native forest logging’. People all around Australia are inspired by the plight of forests, wildlife and climate breakdown, and are taking the time to become an ambassador for native forests, using their skills, enthusiasm and passion to speak with their local politicians to call for change, and for an end to native forest logging.”
Our nationwide campaign for native forests and the Three Days of Action are building pressure on the ALP, who will vote on national party policy next week. We are encouraging and calling on the ALP to end native forest logging immediately. Our Foundation will host a rally outside the ALP national conference on Saturday 19 August with Bob Brown.
Rallies will continue tomorrow in Hobart, Melbourne, Ulladulla, Canberra, Albury, Sydney, Lismore and Perth