Protests are fine — in the right place
We support today’s action, because it’s not in a forest workplace, says Nick Steel
TASMANIAN forest industry supports today’s protest action. Yes, you heard that right! Despite disagreeing with the protesters and despite our long history of disagreement, the Tasmanian forest industry throws its full support behind today’s protest and we wish them well.
You see, disagreeing does not mean we will fail to respect their right to hold a legal protest.
This is an ideal place to protest legally and peacefully after all. It’s a Saturday, the market is on, there will be a great crowd and the message will be heard. Democracy in action.
As people left their homes to head to the protest, nobody would have stopped them.
Nobody went on their property and chained themselves to the front door of their house, to their car or their bike.
Nobody blocked the road, nobody screamed at and spat on them and called them names and rightfully so, they have a legal right to hold and attend this protest.
After the protest they will not be left to support distressed staff, fix damaged equipment, work with contractors who have lost time and money, and repair the impact on their revenue.
The law protects them from this impact and it is right to do so. We should all be able to go about our day safely and without risk of harm, insult or injury. All we want is the same decency and respect to be shown to our industry.
The Tasmanian Forest Products Association represents forest growers, harvesters and manufacturers of timber and paper products.
You see, while we do support today’s protest, we do not support the repeated and constant illegal invasion of our workplaces by the Bob Brown Foundation. The impact of these invasions is real and it is harsh, yet they continually get away with it and it is time for it to end.
What you don’t get to see is the personal impact of these invasions. The forestry industry is a proud and passionate family of regional workers, some with family who have been in the industry for generations.
Imagine if that was you turning up to work, lunch under your arm and ready to go, only to be stopped from entering and then abused. All because this person or this group of people have decided that their dislike of what you do trumps your legal right to go to work. Imagine if that was your staff. As large regional employers, our industry understands its obligations when looking after the mental health and wellbeing of workers, especially when they are like family.
Following an incident staff need support, some need time off, and some are traumatised for months. It really is that serious for us. Just imagine what would happen if someone invaded your office building, worksite, school or factory in an abusive and intimidating manner. There would be outrage and a series of support measures immediately put in place to support all those affected.
That’s what we have to do, every time.
These invasions and the trauma they cause are followed by cheers from the Greens, congratulations from Bob Brown, token fines paid by a business masquerading as a charity and unbelievably a platform to brag about it using social and traditional media.
That’s right, people straight out of court, who have been found guilty of a crime and charged are given an opportunity to brag about it. Not many criminals get that opportunity, society wouldn’t stand for it. Enough is enough.
Our industry is tired of it and Tasmania is tired of it.
So yes, we support today’s protest. But we are drawing a line in the sand.
These invasions need to stop. TFPA represents forest growers, harvesters and manufacturers of timber and paper products. Illegally attacking us and our workers at our workplaces and work sites needs to stop.