On Wednesday 13th December, a day before the 2nd anniversary of the case, Gunns' lawyers confirmed all claims against Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown and Tasmanian Greens leader Peg Putt have been dropped. In addition all corporate claims have been dropped. These related to accusations that defendants had damaged Gunns business by lobbying Japanese woodchip buyers and Gunns’ banks and causing the removal of Gunns from the Banksia Foundation environment awards.

Along with Bob Brown and Peg Putt, three other defendants have been dropped from the case - Peter Pullinger, Helen Gee and Doctors for Native Forests.

Bob Brown has responded to the development by announcing the case is a disaster for Gunns and that they should face reality and community sentiment by dropping all remaining charges against defendants.

Peg Putt said the Gunns20 claim had always been about one corporate bully using its financial muscle to silence critics, threaten freedom of speech and attempt to constrain the ability of Members of Parliament to advocate community views.

The defendants past and present have vowed to stay together as the group Gunns forced them into when the writ was first issued two years ago and urge the community to support the remaining 15 defendants.

For more information please refer to “Three proposed statements of claim submitted by Gunns’ by using this link: http://www.gunns20.org/node/105
You can see the letter Gunns lawyers sent by using this link:
http://www.gunns20.org/node/107