Tasmania’s state election will be a critical opportunity for a new parliament to deliver forest protection and end the taxpayer-subsidised native forest destruction according to Bob Brown Foundation, as protests continue today to highlight the flattening of ancient forests.

“The quickest and easiest way to mitigate the climate and extinction crises, stop wasting taxpayers dollars and remove increased dangerous fire risk is to end the logging and burning our native forests. We will be calling on any minority government to end native forest logging,” said Jenny Weber, Bob Brown Foundation Campaigns Manager.

Protests continue in Tasmania’s central highlands today in below-freezing conditions. With increasingly harsh penalties for peaceful protesters, one brave forest defender is occupying a vast tract of old forests on a treesit platform over the road, preventing logging from destroying this forest.

“I stand today on Lutruwita, the unceded land of the palawa people, to denounce the habitat destruction threatening Wedge-tailed Eagle nesting areas. Tasmania is heading towards another election. Native forest logging is heavily subsidised by our taxes and does not make sense economically. We are witnessing a state controlled by private corporate interests and it is my duty as a citizen to stand up in the face of the senseless destruction. It has never been so important to protect and protect native forests in Tasmania,” said Anna, 39 year-old engineer and small business owner.

“In the lead-up to this election, we encourage people to vote for candidates who will give our precious and unique environment a chance. Use your vote wisely. Vote for forests. They are the lungs of the Earth and essential for our survival, for slowing the effects of climate change, and for preserving our unique wildlife. This is our opportunity to prioritise what really matters,” said Lisa Searle, taking action with Bob Brown Foundation today.

Bob Brown Foundation is calling for a complete end to all logging in native forests across Tasmania, and will continue taking action and standing up to defend these forests until they are given permanent protection.