The new Minister for the Environment, Tanya Plibersek, is seeking to delay a Federal Court challenge by Bob Brown Foundation which aims to stop mining company MMG’s proposed toxic waste dump in Tasmania’s takayna / Tarkine rainforest.

Minister Plibersek’s legal counsel says that more time is needed to consider the 1,500 submissions which flooded into previous minister Sussan Ley’s office. Minister Ley, just a few days before the election, announced she would reconsider giving MMG the go-ahead to build roads and to drill in the rainforest because of vital new evidence of the Masked Owl’s breeding and nesting in the rainforest.

The Federal Court is due to reconvene to decide management of BBF’s challenge next Tuesday, 21 June, and then for a full hearing, expected to take 2-3 days, on 19 July.

“This is a hopeful breakthrough in that MMG’s unnecessary invasion of takayna’s rainforest is being taken seriously by the new minister,” BBF Campaign Manager Jenny Weber said.

“However Minister Plibersek should have MMG cease its roadworks and other works until either this destructive project is stopped or our court case is heard. The minister has the power to tell MMG to desist with its destruction until her decision is made - that would save a lot of money as well as the environment.”

“The minister should exercise that power," Weber said.

“The secret government decision to extend time to the developer of the proposed wilderness-damaging project at Lake Malbena shows bad faith to a large section of the Tasmanian community including anglers, bushwalkers and the Aboriginal community,” Bob Brown said today.

“There is good hope that the new premier will change style and give the public more open government, not least when it comes to public assets like the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. But here is the public being dealt out while a contentious developer gets the ministerial ear. Premier Rockliff should pull this minister into putting the public interest first.”

Bob Brown Foundation’s relentless and committed protests in Tasmania’s takayna / Tarkine have today halted miner MMG’s roadworks with an impromptu Yoga class.

“Citizens have carried out disruption to illegal roadworks at the site of Chinese state-owned miner MMG’s proposed toxic tailings dam in Tasmania’s takayna / Tarkine. Five protestors walked along Helilog Rd stopping machines while they practiced their yoga. Miner MMG has conducted roadworks on Helilog Road without an EPBC permit over the past four weeks. As yet the only action taken to halt works has been by our Foundation carrying out non-violent direct actions,” said Bob Brown Foundation takayna / Tarkine Campaigner Scott Jordan.

“It is ludicrous that while we have the Tasmanian government seeking to demonise peaceful protestors and ram through the parliament draconian harsh penalties for the defenders of our wild places, a company like MMG can illegally operate with impunity. Well, the new anti-protest laws have not passed the upper house and the takayna / Tarkine forests are still standing. There is still time to see democracy and rainforest protection prevail,” said Scott Jordan.

“It has been too long that a Chinese state-owned MMG is allowed to ignore Australian environment law,” concluded Scott Jordan.

Last year MMG conducted illegal works for 60 days before Bob Brown Foundation's legal action forced them to cease. Eighty-six citizens have been arrested halting MMG’s illegal works throughout 2021 and 2022. MMG has not been prosecuted.

Four Tasmanian small business people have blocked the road at the site of Chinese state-owned miner MMG’s proposed toxic, heavy metals tailings dam. An ancient pocket of Australia’s largest temperate rainforest and wildlife habitat will be lost to a waste dump of 25 million cubic metres of sulphide, acid-producing tailings in takayna / Tarkine if miner MMG is allowed to proceed.

Tasmanian tourism operators Gordon Cuff and Susie Aulich have returned to the site after being arrested last year defending these ancient rainforests. The pair hosted Lilydale business owner James Westley and designer/maker Anita Dineen and others on a tour of the threatened ancient rainforests yesterday.

“We have returned to takayna today to show our friends what is at risk of being destroyed. As tourism operators we understand the value of these ancient forests and are encouraging as many Tasmanians to come on down and see what is happening on our island," said Susie Aulich.

Over 600 people have joined Bob Brown Foundation in these forests since January 2022. All of them have been moved by the beauty of the ancient rainforests.

“How is it that we have leased this rainforest to a foreign government-owned company to be destroyed?” asked Anita Dineen.

“What MMG is proposing to do to this pristine wilderness is beyond belief – we must all act to save this now!" said James Westley.

“The actions of these four and the many more business people who have joined our campaign demonstrate that Tasmanian business is not united in the Government’s rush to sacrifice our wild places at all costs," said Bob Brown Foundation takayna / Tarkine Campaigner Scott Jordan.

“While our government plans unnecessary, anti-democratic, draconian legislation to prevent protest against a small cabal of nature-destroying businesses, the workers and business people they claim to be defending are joining us on the frontlines defending takayna. The Premier should reflect on that," Scott Jordan said.

In a novel twist, protestors have blocked access to Chinese state-owned miner MMG’s proposed toxic, heavy metals tailings dam site with a piano. The modified piano has been fitted with a steel pipe allowing artist and activist Merridee Rohrlach (28) to insert her arm and lock into the instrument to prevent its removal.

The tailings dam, if constructed, would deforest 285 hectares of rainforest and melaleuca forest. Miner MMG proposes to pump across the Pieman River and dump 25million cubic metres of sulphide, acid producing mine tailings into an ancient pocket of Australia’s largest temperate rainforest. The site has documented populations of listed threatened species, including the Tasmanian Masked Owl, Tasmanian Devil and Spotted Tailed Quoll.

“Today’s protest is the latest in a seventeen month rolling disruption of MMG’s access to the rainforest site. Currently, roadworks on the site are being undertaken illegally in the absence of EPBC permits. A separate works permit for drilling and clearing is being reconsidered with a reconsideration decision due this Friday,” said Bob Brown Foundations takayna / Tarkine Campaigner Scott Jordan.

“takayna / Tarkine is a magically invaluable place. This ancient forest is ecologically and environmentally significant in its status as a home for threatened and endangered species, and its capacity for extensive carbon storage and oxygen generation. However, takayna also offers us a precious repository of natural wonder, of spirituality and creativity”, said Merridee Rohrlach.

Bob Brown Foundation has consciously incorporated art into its campaigns, including hosting its annual Art for takayna event at the site of today’s protest over the past two years.

“Music has bound protesters through the ages. Songs from the campaign to Save the Franklin continue to be shared today. We must celebrate the sounds of the forest and the sounds of people protecting them alike” said Bob Brown Foundation Campaigner Erik Hayward.

“Miner MMG can break the law but they cannot break our spirit. We will prevail and we will succeed and we will enjoy ourselves doing it. They cannot break our morale,” said Erik Hayward.

Bob Brown Foundation has released new footage of crucial seagrass habitat being smothered by algae caused by a nearby Tasmanian salmon farm. The seagrass habitat is situated in Long Bay, connected to the wider bay of Port Arthur, which is flanked by the award-winning Port Arthur World Heritage Site and the Tasman National Park. 

"Seagrass is a crucial habitat and nursery for marine life and a massive carbon sink. In these times of climate and biodiversity crises, these incredible habitats need to be protected. Instead, they are being smothered by algae caused by salmon farm pollution. This new footage shows the havoc being wreaked on the marine environment by the salmon industry right next to a World Heritage site and National Park." says Bob Brown Foundation's Fish Farms and Marine Campaigner Bec Howarth. 

"This is an opportunity for the Tasmanian government to follow one of the recommendations of its own recent Salmon Inquiry report and remove fish farms from biodiverse, sheltered waters by removing the pens from Long Bay, Port Arthur. This would give the sheltered and delicate marine ecosystem there a chance of restoration," says Bob Brown Foundation's Fish Farm Campaigner Alistair Allan.

Bob Brown Foundation activists have wrapped an earth moving machine in messages from children calling for the protection of forests. Frontline protests continue as twenty year old Tenisha Van Dam has locked on to this machine to protest miner MMG’s proposed toxic, forest destroying tailings dam today.

“Children from Canberra sent us crocheted woollen strings with messages urging protection of forests, they asked for us to use them to defend takayna. from children in Canberra,” said Bob brown Foundation takayna / Tarkine Campaigner Scott Jordan.

“These school children in Canberra understand the plight of this planet and Australia’s largest temperate rainforests. It’s time the politicians listened to the next generation,” Scott Jordan said.

Tenisha Van Dam (20) has locked herself onto an earthmoving machine bringing MMG’s illegal roadworks to a halt for the fifth day this week, and messages from the children have been tied onto the machine.

“MMG need to leave takayna, abandon this destructive plan to carry out deforestation in this age of the climate and biodiversity crises. These messages are MMG’s managers to read before turning this machine back to its destruction. Perhaps they could also find time to explain to the children why they are so determined to deny future generations the ability to witness these precious rainforests." Scott Jordan said.

For the first time since the premiership of Paul Lennon, shadow treasurer Shane Broad has catapulted Labor right over the Liberals in advocating forest destruction.

“Just as the new Albanese government is flagging its concern for the environment in Canberra, here we have old Tasmanian Labor chiding the Liberals for not wanting enough forest destruction. Broad’s comments will send a ripple of disgust through most people, including Labor voters, who want Tasmania’s remnant wild forests and their wildlife, like in takayna / Tarkine, protected,” Bob Brown said today.

“Mr Broad’s rant at the Liberals for giving ground on logging in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, unless it is corrected by wiser heads in the ALP, will lose Labor a heap of votes at the next state and federal elections,” Brown said.

Bob Brown Foundation welcomes today’s announcement that native forests in the Great Western Tiers will be removed from logging zones.

“We look forward to Premier Rockliff leading this state into more protection of native forests on public land, for their climate and biodiversity values,” Jenny Weber said.

“Tasmania’s Government needs to move into a new era of acknowledging National Parks are necessary and best for conservation. Today’s announcement still doesn’t give these forests the secure protection they deserve,” Jenny Weber said.

Citizens have reoccupied takayna / Tarkine’s Helilog Rd overnight blocking access to Chinese state-owned miner MMG, as the company seeks to continue illegal roadworks activity.

Jeweller Olive Capurso (22), supported by a small team of concerned citizens, has attached to the road to prevent MMG’s vehicles from entering the site of their proposed toxic tailings dam.

“I am choosing to lock on here today to stop MMG destroying takayna. I am so grateful to be able to visit this forest and hope that I can inspire more people to join this fight,” said Ms Capurso.

Eighty four protestors have been arrested preventing MMG access since May 2021, making it Tasmania’s largest sustained direct action campaign since the Franklin Blockade of 1982-83.

“This campaign continues to grow and gain momentum every day. More people are learning about MMG’s plans and they are horrified. Horrified at the loss of Masked Owls and their breeding habitat, horrified at the loss of ancient rainforest and horrified at the loss of World Heritage value landscapes,” said Bob Brown Foundation takayna Campaigner Scott Jordan.

“But most importantly, in the face of that horror, they are moved to action.”

“We urge everyone who is horrified by MMG’s plans to join us in a sustained campaign of non-violent direct action to stop MMG. We have held them out seventeen months so far, and we are just warming up.”

As Chinese state owned miner MMG continues its illegal roadworks in takayna / Tarkine, Bob Brown Foundation has urged the incoming Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to act fast in forcing MMG to cease their un-permitted works. Citizens have maintained the blockade of the proposed tailings dam site, with a protestor’s vehicle blocking the road for the past 36 hours. MMG has continued to dump road base before the obstruction.

“While we are here holding MMG out of their illegal works, we are happy for the new Minister to step in at any time," said Bob Brown Foundation takayna / Tarkine Campaigner Scott Jordan.

“We are here because the previous Minister failed to act. This company, owned by a foreign government, should not be allowed to flout Australian Environment Law."

Occupational Therapist Anna Capitelli (23) has locked herself to the vehicle on Helilog Rd to prevent MMG’s machinery from accessing the site.

“I am here to stop works on MMG’s toxic tailings dam which is going to take a massive part of our sacred and incredibly valuable takayna wilderness that we need now and for generations to come," said Anna Capitelli.

Illegal works commenced on 9 May 2022. Bob Brown Foundation has been calling for Government action to halt these works for 24 days.

A separate approval exists for tracks, test pitting and drilling, with that approval being subject to an EPBC reconsideration after BBF presented over 400 recordings of the Tasmanian Masked Owl including chattering calls associated with feeding chicks on the site. MMG originally received EPBC approval after the company falsely claimed the species was not present.