Tasmanian timber giant Gunns' fourth attempt to sue environmentalists and green groups will be allowed to proceed after the Victorian Supreme Court lifted a stay of proceedings. Gunns first attempted to sue 20 defendants in 2004, claiming anti-logging protests had damaged its business.
Today the court allowed a fourth version of Gunns' statement of claims to proceed against 14 remaining defendants, including the Wilderness Society.
But Gunns was ordered to pay some costs for six defendants dismissed from the case, including Greens Senator Bob Brown and the party's Tasmanian leader Peg Putt.
Senator Brown says the case has been a traumatic experience for defendants and is now likely to drag on for many years.
"It is going to be an immense burden on them, both on their ability to get on with their lives and their well being," he said.
"But that's the action that Gunns has taken."
Wilderness Society spokesman Greg Ogle says he is concerned about the impact the lawsuit is having on freedom of speech in Australia.
"We're fielding a lot of inquiries from ordinary people, just asking, 'What can we say? Can we say this to protect our forests?'" he said.
"That's the implication of this case.
"Ultimately, we need to go on and win this case and see some law reform so that these cases cannot be brought on in the future."

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