ENVIRONMENTAL activists against logging in Tasmania face a new battle with timber giant Gunns, after it won the go-ahead for a fresh lawsuit against them. Victoria's Supreme Court lifted a stay of proceedings imposed last August, clearing the way for the company to sue 14 environmentalists over their anti-logging protests.
Gunns first launched legal action against 20 environmental groups or individuals - including two Green party politicians - in December 2004, citing their ongoing damaging campaigns and other activities against the company.
But the Victorian Supreme Court threw out the original statement of claim, as well as two subsequent attempts to sue the protesters.
Today, Greens leader Bob Brown warned the case could stretch on for years, exacting a heavy toll on the defendants.
"The saga with this court action against good-hearted environmentalists trying to defend Australia's great forests and wildlife goes on," Senator Brown told reporters.
"It is a traumatic episode for all the environmentalists involved and it is going to be an immense burden on them, both on their ability to get on with their lives and on their wellbeing."
Justice Bernard Bongiorno said Gunns had capitulated in its bid to sue Senator Brown, Tasmanian Greens leader Peg Putt and four other defendants.
But he gave the go-ahead for the company to continue with a revised statement of claim against 14 remaining defendants, which campaigners fear could ultimately cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars.
"The manifest unfairness of this process - as Gunns continues to maraud, to cut down, burn and create havoc with both the wildlife and the great forests of Tasmania - continues," Senator Brown said.
"Gunns should be in the dock, along with (Tasmanian premier) Paul Lennon and (Prime Minister) John Howard, not those who defend the forests, including the Wielangta forest where the Federal Court in Hobart has found their proposed logging activities illegal.
"By extension, logging of much of Tasmania's forests ... is illegal.
"But instead of the logging industry being arraigned, it is those who want to uphold our national environment legislation who are in court."
Gunns was ordered to pay the costs of the six defendants, while the 14 remaining campaigners were told to file their defence statements by May 4.
A spokeswoman for Gunns said the company would not comment because it was a legal matter which was now before the courts.

Herald Sun
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21496967-662,00.html
Gunns moves on protestors
April 03, 2007 02:19pm
Article from: AAP