In Tasmania, a sustained forest frontline defence campaign has entered its eighteenth day, with five forest defenders now arrested. This morning, forest defenders are occupying a road, preventing the destruction of old forests in the Central Highlands.

“We have written to Premier Rockliff and Forestry Tasmania last night urging them to remove the logging machines from these ancient high-altitude forests and save this wildlife-filled ecosystem. Native forests are precious and every day they are flattened, their destruction causes increased global heating and pushes wildlife to extinction,” said Jenny Weber, Bob Brown Foundation Campaigns Manager.

“I’m taking action here today to stop the unnecessary destruction of phenomenal, old native forest – a forest where the BBF science team have recorded endangered Masked Owls, Blue-winged Parrot & Wedge-tailed Eagles. Last breeding season, critically endangered Swift Parrots were recorded in this coupe. We are in a climate and biodiversity crisis, and it’s ludicrous that we are still destroying critical habitat. It’s time to end native forest logging,” said Eleanor Kuylaars, locked into the road.

“As a mum of three incredible girls, my husband and I are all too aware of the future that lies ahead of them. We want to do everything in our power to ensure future generations cannot just survive but thrive on this Earth,” said Eleanor Kuylaars.

“It’s time Forestry Tasmania gave up and moved their machines out. All their attempts to continue logging will be met with our relentless and persistent non-violent resistance,” said Lisa Searle, Bob Brown Foundation Campaigns Organiser.