Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
The Greens wholeheartedly support the Bob Brown Foundation’s Supreme Court challenge to Forestry Tasmania, who have refused public land access for the takayna Trail ultra-marathon event.
Forestry Tasmania’s decision to stop the takayna Trail 2021 is political. Why else would they shut down a major sporting event that provides a much needed economic boost to the North West?
The North West needs to be able showcase takayna and generate revenue from the wilderness on their doorstep. FT’s unexplained and unilateral decision will have damaging economic consequences for a region still recovering from the pandemic downturn.
High profile events like the takayna Trail ultra-marathon should be celebrated by government and put above politics. FT and the Liberals, however, look like they’re punishing Bob Brown Foundation for defending lutruwita/Tasmania’s carbon-rich native forests from destruction.
Are FT and Resources Minister, Guy Barnett worried a successful event will showcase how promoting takayna – and other Tasmanian carbon-bank forests – can generate more revenue for the State’s economy than their destruction?
These are publicly-owned forests. Premier Peter Gutwein and his Resources Minister must pull FT into line and allow this event to proceed, in the public interest and for the benefit of the North West economy.