Forest defenders are maintaining their occupation of forests in the Central Highlands today, where controversial logging has become the site of focused non-violent protests.

“We have been defending these forests with frequent protests for the past three weeks. We lobbied the government not to proceed with logging coupe CZ022A, but the logging machines moved in, and so did we. We have had many successful protests over the past weeks that have meant less forest has been destroyed,” said Dr Lisa Searle, Campaign Organiser at Bob Brown Foundation.

“The federal Environment Minister must end native forest logging. Instead, he is meeting with the industry today while calling for compromise from environmental groups. We compromise every day while the environment and climate suffer a great decline. We see it here on the frontline in Tasmania as ancient forests continue to be flattened. The heating climate and the loss of endangered species habitat right now, near Lake St Clair, is enough compromise. These brave citizens are standing up for the environment while our government continues the destruction of Australia’s precious environment and fails to protect it at every turn,” said Jenny Weber, Bob Brown Foundation Campaigns Manager.