[Greens-Media] Brown's court win over Turnbull and Abetz

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Friday, 13 April 2007

Brown's court win over Turnbull and Abetz

Greens Leader Bob Brown has had another win in the federal court over
Federal Ministers Malcolm Turnbull (Environment) and Eric Abetz
(Forestry). The Ministers had sought full party status in Forestry
Tasmania's appeal against Justice Marshall's finding last December that
logging the 10,000 hectare Wielangta forest was illegal and should halt.

The forest provides habitat for endangered species, including Tasmania's
giant Wedge-tail eagle, the migratory Swift parrot and the ancient
Wielangta stag beetle. 

The Federal ministers had sought full party status when the appeal
before the full bench of the Federal Court is heard in August. Senator
Brown argued that the Commonwealth's role had been limited to intervenor
in the trial for Justice Marshall and its role should be similarly
restricted before the Court of Appeal. The role of intervenor is limited
to assisting the court with such matters as legal argument, but does not
extend to full party status in such things as cross-examination of
witnesses or presentation of new evidence.

The Chief Justice of the Federal Court, Michael Black, upheld Senator
Brown's argument in Hobart this morning and ordered the Commonwealth pay
costs.

"This case has enormous importance for Australia's wild forests and rare
and endangered species," Senator Brown said.

"Here and around the world, destruction of forests is a major cause of
wildlife extinction. The Commonwealth Environment Protection
Biodiversity and Conservation Act was passed to protect the habitat of
species and bring them back from the brink of extinction. Environment
Minister Turnbull should be in the court on my side protecting wild
animals and birds from extinction, rather than over with Forestry
Tasmania which is logging and burning their habitat," Senator Brown
said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603

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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au