Call for legislation to protect the Australian right to political beliefs
Gunns Ltd latest writ, against 13 forest defenders, includes a core claim for aggravated and exemplary damages "because their actions were calculated and/or likely to publicise the political beliefs of Defendants and to thereby gain media publicity for each of them and/or for the beliefs which they hold".
"This is the Gunns empire, one of the western world's most evil environmental outfits, now using the courts to punish pro-environment beliefs," Senator Brown said.
"Polls show 80% of Australians oppose old growth logging. What next for this environmental killer - a suit against 16 million Australians?" Senator Brown asked.
"The federal and state governments should implement legislation to stop such action overriding the fundamental right to freedom of speech and political belief," Senator Brown said.
Senator Brown said he had written to the Tasmanian Minister for Police to ask for an investigation into how Gunns obtained the names of the 13 defendants including those not arrested or charged at the Triabunna protest.
Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603