Simultaneous protests will be held today in Tasmania’s Tarkine rainforests while members of the public will demonstrate outside Venture Minerals AGM in Perth WA.

“This morning at one of eight proposed drilling sites in ancient takayna rainforest at Mt Lindsay, our protest is again shutting down the drill rig to prevent further damage to this precious landscape”, said Bob Brown Foundation takayna/Tarkine campaigner Scott Jordan from Perth this morning.

Later today, Bob Brown Foundation Campaigners and Perth locals will be at Venture Minerals AGM reminding shareholders of the risks of the company’s proposed mine in Tasmania’s spectacular takayna/Tarkine.

“Mining in takayna/Tarkine is last century thinking, and Venture Minerals’ shareholders need to know that despite the company’s attempts to brand its mine as ‘green tin’, the destruction of carbon rich ancient rainforest ecosystems in a climate and biodiversity crisis overshadows what kind of electricity you use to power that destruction," said Mr Jordan.

Karen Keefe, a midwife from NW Tasmania, is facing arrest today after locking herself to the drill rig, “this vast tract of ancient temperate rainforest of world heritage value provides rich critical habitat for all forms of life. The continued destruction and desecration of this land by Venture Minerals must not be allowed to continue,” said Ms Keefe.

“Our protests at the Mount Lindsay site in takayna will continue for as long as they have to to get Venture Minerals out of this area. We are not backing down. We have shown how passionate and committed we are to these forests during our campaign to get MMG out, and now we will continue to campaign against Venture for as long as it takes. They are not welcome here,” said Bob Brown Foundation campaign organiser Dr Lisa Searle.

Bob Brown Foundation hosted a Hobart Town Hall meeting today with keynote speaker West Australian Forest Alliance convenor Jess Beckerling, who was announced as 2021 Environmentalist of the Year earlier this week.

"There are no more excuses. It is clear that forest protection is critically important for the climate and for rainfall, rivers, wildlife and culture. It is also clear that fears about job losses and timber availability are unfounded. I hope the Western Australian experience gives strength to the arms of Tasmanian forest campaigners and helps to ring the alarm bell among your decision makers that time is up for native forest logging. Policy change is inevitable and the sooner it happens the better for everyone. All of our remaining forests are worth more standing. We can and must end native forest logging," said Jess Beckerling, Western Australia Forest Alliance convenor

"Jess Beckerling, who led the campaign to end native forest in Western Australian, inspired the crowd at the Hobart Town Hall. She's the face of things to come in Tasmania as we move towards the total end of logging and destruction of our forests, so needless in 2021-22," said Bob Brown.

“Native forest logging, and the incinerating of these forests after logging, has to end. Native forest logging remains financially unsustainable without handouts from governments. Forestry Tasmania’s recent financial performance is still not pretty. Over the past four years, cash operating losses before government grants have totalled $47 million, as revealed recently by Economist John Lawrence.

The taxpayer is not the only loser in this ongoing tragedy. So too are the critically endangered Swift Parrots who are losing their habitat to logging. Our foundation has surveyed 24 logging coupes in Tasmania’s southern forests that are Swift Parrot habitat or have Swift Parrots and their nests in them. Secure protection of all Swift Parrot habitat is urgent, while logging continues to destroy the parrots’ nursery,” Bob Brown Foundation’s Jenny Weber said.

"Thriving native forests have a significant role to play in tackling climate change and contributing to a clean, healthy and sustainable future for all life. Burning forest wood for large scale energy production is as emissive as burning coal and robs us of their carbon storage and sequestration at the most vital time. Protecting and restoring our forests is a climate change solution - burning them is not," Peg Putt said.

Speakers at today’s public meeting included Jess Beckerling - West Australia Forest Alliance convenor, Bob Brown, Louise Morris - Blue Derby Wild, Peg Putt - Coordinator Forests, Climate and Biomass Energy Working Group and Environmental Paper Network and Jenny Weber - Bob Brown Foundation.

Economist John Lawrence article

Dr Colette Harmsen, veterinarian and volunteer for Bob Brown Foundation, was sentenced in Hobart’s Magistrates Court for two protests against Venture's Riley Creek Mine and one protest against deforestation in Wentworth Hills.

Dr Colette Harmsen, 45, of Tinderbox, was given a suspended sentence of three months for her involvement in defending Tasmania's environment, wildlife and climate.

"It is a travesty that the law protects the environmental destroyers, not the protectors," she said.

"I have watched successive right-wing governments ignore scientists' warnings in favour of temporary gains and short term jobs and growth. Now it is up to ordinary, concerned people like myself to put their bodies on the front line to highlight the ongoing damage."

Dr Harmsen said that she would continue to fight for the environment.

"I will do whatever it takes to demand change by stopping the industries and businesses that continue as if they were doing nothing wrong."

Meanwhile, Forestry Tasmania failed to appear in court today in answer to a summons to produce documents regarding protests in takayna / Tarkine against MMG's proposed tailings dam.

After a vigorous campaign by Bob Brown Foundation, Antarctica will be saved from the Morrison government’s proposed 2.7km long concrete airport at Davis station, Antarctica.

“It’s a huge backdown by the government and a win for the bulk of Antarctic scientists who opposed 115,000 tonnes of concrete being transported south to build the biggest human intrusion ever on the wilderness continent,” Bob Brown Foundation Antarctic campaigner Alistair Allan said today in Hobart.

The Australian Antarctic Division/Australian Government announced that it will not be proceeding with plans to build a giant concrete airport in Antarctica. This unprecedented project would have increased the human disturbance footprint on the continent by a staggering 40%. The decision is the correct one, given that Antarctica is one of the worlds last great wildernesses that deserves protection not industrial destruction.

“Today’s announcement is brilliant news for Antarctica,” said Alistair Allan, Bob Brown Foundation Antarctic Campaigner.

“This concrete airport was going to encase the homes of penguins, seals and petrels in 115,000 tonnes of concrete. Now, these animals can carry on living in this precious ecosystem undisturbed.”

“We have been campaigning against the airport since the Foundation started focusing on the protection of Antarctica,” said Bob Brown.

“To all the Antarctic scientists and expeditioners, and to the community at large, we thank you for your amazing efforts to make your voice heard and expose just how destructive this concrete airport would have been.”

Antarctica is facing unprecedented threats due to climate change, fishing pressures and tourism. This airport was, up until today, one of those threats. There is still lots to do to protect Antarctica and the animals that live there, but abandoning this destructive project is certainly a step in the right direction.

“There has been a concerted push by academics and strategists that geopolitical posturing and competition meant that the Antarctic environment was the unfortunate but necessary loser in this proposal. The Australian government has done the right thing by putting the Antarctic environment first. This proposal should be permanently relegated to the history books and the idea of laying hundreds of thousands of tonnes of concrete in such an incredible ecosystem chalked up as a bad idea, with catastrophe avoided,” said Alistair Allan

“We will take some Tasmanian Champagne off the ice to celebrate. This is an environmental win of global significance. We laud the scientists who were in rebellion against the airport. It was a $100,000 legacy to our foundation from former Australian Antarctic base leader, Louise Crossley which enabled our campaign,” said Bob Brown.

Bob Brown Foundation presented its 10th annual Environment Awards last night to prize winners from across Australia and one from Papua New Guinea.

Established in 2012, the awards recognise environmentalists who have demonstrated resolute courage and conviction in taking a stand for environmental protection, preservation and justice.

This year’s winners are:

Environmentalist of the Year - Jess Beckerling, WA Forest Alliance

Long-standing campaigner for the forests and wildlife of south-west WA, Jess has been involved in the WA forest campaign for 24 years. In 2021, Jess led the campaign in WA to reach an end to native forest logging in Western Australia, with a transition by 2024. This is the first time in Australia that such a significant swift transition and commitment to ending native forest logging has occurred. Jess has been fighting for the forests of SW WA since she was 17. She is currently convener and campaign director for the WA Forest Alliance as well as Chair of the local Southwest Environment Group. Jess has been convenor of WAFA since 2011. Her commitment, skill and energy have been instrumental in protecting WA's unique forests, including a 12-month ban on 9,000 ha of karri logging.

Young Environmentalists of the Year - Litigants in Sharma v Minister for Environment case

In September 2020, eight young people from around Australia, with the assistance of 86 year-old litigation guardian Sister Brigid Arthur, brought a class action against the Federal Minister for the Environment. They argued that the Minister has a duty to avoid causing future harm from carbon emissions that would result from the approval of the proposed Vickery Extension Project in New South Wales. If approved, the coal burned from the Vickery Extension Project will result in 100 million tonnes of carbon emissions over the next 25 years, further fuelling the climate crisis. The students argued that approving the mine would breach the Minster’s duty of care. The Minister denied any duty of care was owed to the children or that the project would cause the harm they described.

Anjali Sharma – 17, Melbourne, VIC
Tomas Webster Arbizu – 17, Adelaide, SA – Tom will be joining us in Hobart for the award ceremony
Bella Burgemeister – 15, Bunbury, WA – Bella will be joining us in Hobart for the award ceremony
Luca Saunders -16, Blue Mountains, NSW
Izzy Raj-Seppings - 15, Sydney, NSW
Laura Kirwan – 17, Sydney, NSW
Ambrose Hayes – 16, Sydney, NSW
Ava Princi – 18, Sydney, NSW
Veronica Hester – 18, Sydney

Community Environmental Prize - Alliance of Solwara Warriors

The Alliance of Solwara Warriors has built a powerful movement across Papua New Guinea over the past 5 years, against deep-sea mining, the impacts of climate change, logging, oil palm developments and deep-sea tailings disposal of mine waste into their rivers and seas.

Deni Greene Award - Rob Blakers

Rob Blakers is one of Australia's premier wilderness photographers. He has used his photographic skills to help promote conservation since the 1980's Franklin dam campaign. Rob has been using new imaging technology that allows for a better representation of nature than ever before – photos and videos can be powerful tools to help combat the escalating climate and biodiversity crises.

"Our Environmentalists of the Year underscore the rising tide of intelligent, determined Australians taking action against the unnecessary loss and destruction of this nation’s storehouse of nature. They represent real achievement for a world in environmental crisis: such as the end of native forest logging in Western Australia, halting undersea mining in Papua New Guinea and winning a Federal Court judgment that government is responsible for inaction in the climate crisis. Tasmanian environmental photographer Rob Blakers has won the Deni Greene prize for his lifetime achievements for wilderness,” said Bob Brown.

“In every case, whether opposing the opening of new coal mines or saving forests or marine ecosystems in this age of climate emergency and deliberated mass extinction, these world citizens have shown remarkable intelligence and courage. They have taken exemplary action for our one and only living planet, Earth,” said Bob Brown.

Battery technology has already leapfrogged Project Marinus and Battery of the Nation rendering them economically unviable is the major conclusion of Dr Bruce Mountain of the Victorian Energy Policy Centre in his damning updated report released today by the Bob Brown Foundation.

"Our initial report released last year focussed mainly on the economics of Marinus Link and this update confirms that Marinus Link continues to have no prospect of competing against battery alternatives in Victoria," said Dr Bruce Mountain.

"This is the exact opposite of Premier Gutwein’s claims that ‘independent analysis has confirmed Project Marinus is economically viable and will place downward pressure on power prices.’ Premier Gutwein needs to release that advice immediately as the VEPC has produced the figures which demonstrate otherwise," Christine Milne AO of Bob Brown Foundation said.

"In the year that has passed since our report, the official projections of battery costs have come down, Marinus’ cost has gone up and pumped hydro cost estimates have gone up," Dr Mountain said.

"Not only that, the Victoria Big Battery (300 MW/450 MWh) was announced and construction will be completed soon. Another 300 MW/1400 MWh battery in Victoria has been announced for commissioning at Jeeralang by 2026. In addition to these, four more grid-scale batteries with an aggregate capacity of 1,150 MW/3500 MWh that are not yet under construction but are likely to proceed have been announced. Three of the five (80% of total capacity) are co-located with generation. We now feel able to conclude that if Hydro Tasmania develops pumped hydro capacity in Tasmania it is very likely that, like Snowy 2.0, it will not be economically viable," said Dr Mountain. 

"No matter how hard Premier Gutwein tries to spin Project Marinus, it is uneconomic and will be a huge burden on taxpayers and will drive up energy prices if Tasmania persuades Prime Minister to come up with the $3.5 billion as part of the federal election campaign.’ Christine Milne said.
Project Marinus was included in the AEMO ISP on the assumption of having effectively ‘free’ excess renewable energy in Tasmania because Tasmania passed legislation for 200% renewable energy. AEMO might assume it is free and already built but we know that is not the case. Hydro Tasmania and Aurora are already accumulating debt to pay for this ‘free’ energy for the mainland. 

Tasmanians also resent developers treating the environment, migratory species and Tasmanian devils as ‘free’ and able to be destroyed for renewable energy. Destroying biodiversity for energy not being a climate solution was a major conclusion of the recently ended COP26 in Glasgow.   

There is such a thing as being too late. It is time for the Tasmanian Government to frame a futuristic vision for Tasmania using our renewable energy for the benefit of Tasmanians and stop chasing expensive duds like Project Marinus," Christine Milne concluded.  

Copy of report here

Premier Gutwien’s support for big business backing $3.5 billion of taxpayers’ funds being diverted from schools and hospitals to turn unprofitable windfarm projects into profitable projects seems unremarkable, Bob Brown said today. “Especially as big business will donate a fraction of the same to help Premier Gutwein win the next election for it, keeping Tasmania one of the poorest communities in Australia. Nothing usual there.”

“What is remarkable is the blatant spin that Marinus means those worse-off citizens will be better off. This ‘can do’ capitalism, as the Prime Minister calls it, profits the rich, and green-spin advertising houses at the expense of ordinary taxpayers and Tasmania’s natural environment which is valued at zero,” Bob Brown said.

The Bob Brown Foundation will publish a contemporary report on the viability of Marinus tomorrow.

Bob Brown Foundation is calling for urgent protection of takayna / Tarkine and immediate removal of Venture Minerals drill rig and cancellation of their mining leases.

Drilling has today been shut down by a protest. takayna defenders are in the Mount Lindsay rainforest region of takayna, halting the drilling by Venture Minerals. Seven defenders have walked into the rainforest site and one has locked down the drill rig.

“Venture Minerals may try corporate bully tactics to silence us. We will not back down in a climate and extinction crisis while destruction of these critical habitats and carbon storehouses continues,” said Scott Jordan, takayna campaigner at the Bob Brown Foundation, who is on-site at today’s protest.

“Tasmania should be contributing to the global solution not exacerbating the problem. Premier Gutwein can protect and restore carbon stores and has a rare and special opportunity to contribute to stabilising the climate and prevent ongoing wildlife habitat loss,” said Mr Jordan.

“A new report by Conservation International last week showed that a tiny proportion of the world’s land surface hosts carbon-rich forests and peatlands that would not recover before 2050 if lost. Tasmania appears as one of these global carbon hotspot, including the vast threatened forests of takayna. We must keep these forests intact and prevent any destruction,” said Jenny Weber, campaign manager for the Bob Brown Foundation who is also on-site at Mount Lindsay today.

“We will not stand back and allow Venture Minerals to continue their filthy extractive practices in the pristine wilderness of takayna. Our actions against this profit-driven corporate bully will continue for as long as it takes to get them out of takayna,” concluded Jenny Weber.

Bob Brown Foundation has criticised the latest EPBC referral by Chinese state-owned miner MMG, as riddled with unfounded assumptions, incomplete data and wishful thinking.

Unapproved and illegal operations were halted in late July after Bob Brown Foundation’s lawyers wrote to MMG and the Commonwealth government to inform them that their roading and drilling program on its proposed toxic tailings dam in takayna’s rainforest was unapproved and illegal under the EPBC Act.

Australia’s Environment Minister should reject MMG’s plans to destroy takayna and this referral as clearly unacceptable, and prosecute MMG for its illegal activities.

“It is now clear why MMG took to the airwaves to spruik their intention to destroy takayna / Tarkine with a toxic tailings dam before the referral was published. This referral raises more questions than answers,” said Bob Brown Foundation takayna/Tarkine Campaigner Scott Jordan.

“They have failed to survey all of the forests they propose to destroy for worksites and discounted indirect risks on surrounding forest habitat within the proposed site. Alarmingly the company admits to recording endangered Masked owls only to then discount their presence”.

“After reading this documentation it only reinforces our view that the removal of these aspects of the main referral into this substandard second referral is orchestrated to avoid real scrutiny of the whole project and fast track works that were in fact illegal”.

Seventy-one protestors were arrested over two months attempting to halt MMG’s illegal works.

The Chinese state-owners of MMG are signatories to the World Heritage Convention. The area in question has verified World Heritage values and is in urgent need of protection.

The Bob Brown Foundation is challenging Twiggy Forrest’s claim that future hydrogen production as he projects it will be ‘pure, totally clean.’

In a full-page ad in today’s Australian Financial Review, the foundation responds to a similarly prominent ad last week by Forrest, together with a video clip, in which he claimed that investing in the hydrogen economy creates ‘sustainable green infrastructure … which means you can be a hero in the global energy sector, save the planet and look your kids in the eye’.

The BBF ad highlights huge hydroelectric schemes in poorer countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Papua New Guinea which Forrest has been promoting with heads-of-state to create the energy needed to produce hydrogen.

Yesterday, the Port Moresby newspaper Post-Courier refused to run the same ad but negotiations are underway. Forrest visited PNG before Glasgow.

Bob Brown says the foundation aims is to foster debate about the environmental and social impacts of global hydrogen production as projected by Dr Forrest. “He is promoting huge hydro-electric schemes on some of the world’s last remaining great rivers and there would be massive social and environmental consequences. As reported in the AFR, he has contracted with the president of the DRC for a scheme on the Congo River twice the size of China’s Twin Gorges Dam. It is reported to threaten the displacement of 25,000 people, involves massive transmission lines, and has been dropped by previous interested parties including the World Bank.”

“In Papua New Guinea, Forrest’s hydrogen vision brings dams on a number of major rivers into focus. There can have been no time to consult the local populations nor to assess the impact on some of the most spectacular tropical gorges on Earth. His global vision deserves global scrutiny. We want him to get social licences. That is what we seek.”

“We support a hydrogen economy based on renewable energy where the production of that energy does not contribute to climate change, damage the environment or cause social dislocation. That is going to take a lot more considered judgement than is evident in Dr Forrest’s global mission,” Bob Brown said.