Today’s decision by the Magistrates Court to uphold the Bob Brown Foundation’s Appeal against the government’s protest ban is very welcome news.
Every day in which democratic and constitutional rights are upheld should be celebrated, but it is a damning indictment on the Gutwein Government that citizens are forced to use the court system to defend these rights.
The justice system has once again had to step in to rescue those protecting critical carbon bank forests from political persecution.
This is a huge embarrassment for the Liberals and Work Safe Tasmania, who were prepared to misuse their power and the law to stop forest defenders.
The Magistrates Court decision raises serious questions about the Liberals’ interference in the work of what should be impartial agencies. If Tasmanians are to have any faith in entities such as Worksafe, answers are needed.
