The Victorian Supreme Court has cleared the way for Tasmanian timber giant Gunns to proceed with a lawsuit against 14 environmental campaigners. Gunns first launched legal action against 20 environmentalists - including two Green party politicians - in December 2004, citing their ongoing damaging campaigns and activities against the company.
But the Victorian Supreme Court threw out its original statement of claim, as well as two subsequent attempts to sue the protesters.
Today, Justice Bernard Bongiorno gave the green light for Gunns to go ahead with a fourth claim while also ordering the logging giant to pay various costs of some of the defendants.
Outside court, Greens leader Bob Brown - who Gunns tried to sue last year but failed - warned the case could be drawn out for several more 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 said.
"It is a traumatic episode for all involved and it is going to be an immense burden on them, both their ability to get on with their lives and on their wellbeing."