Vic: Logging protesters brawl with mill owner

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-1998
Vic: Logging protesters brawl with mill owner

MELBOURNE, Dec 14 AAP - Anti-woodchips protesters who locked themselves onto gear in a
sawmill in eastern Victoria were attacked and had high-pressure hoses turned on them by
workers and management, a spokeswoman said today.

Michelle van Gerrevink, from the Goongerah Environment Centre, told AAP at least five of
the 30 protesters were injured when workers at the Cann River mill decided to forcibly remove
their peaceful blockade early this morning.

She said a number of protesters had locked themselves to part of the mill but were forced
to release themselves when the hosing began.

She said one person was punched in the face, and was taken to hospital where he would need
stitches for a cut, while a young woman was grabbed around the throat.

Mill owner Bob Humphreys told AAP the conservationists had trespassed on his land and he
claimed they assaulted him.

"A number of them locked up to my sawmill stopping my 18 men from working," he told AAP.

"Weve had a bout of hot weather so we thought wed check our fire hoses were working."

He said it was about the sixth time the group had protested outside the mill.

"I dont know why they chose to have a wrestle this time," he said.

"It wasnt very fair that they come along and stop 18 guys being productive as they had in
the past and it was only a matter of half, three quarters of an hour and they were gone."

Ms Gerrevink said the informal alliance of environmentalists was concerned Mr Humphreys was
the director of the mill and also director of East Gippsland Logging, which had just been
awarded a government contract to log in the area.

"It is absolutely appalling when a director of East Gippsland Logging starts throwing
punches and encouraging his workers to use violence against protesters," she said.

"We have had reports that he promised to pay his workers fines for any assault charges
that may be laid."

Mr Humphreys said the contract was let to East Gippsland Logging by the Department of
Natural Resources and Environment about 12 months ago and everything was running smoothly.

"This decision to log comes after many years of extensive studies. Its about time they
accepted the umpires decision," he told AAP.

A police spokeswoman confirmed an officer had gone to the mill at about 7am and a man had
gone with him back to Cann River police station to report an assault.

Ms Gerrevink said protesters had written to state Conservation Minister Marie Tehan and
federal Environment Minister Robert Hill but had received no response.

AAP hmg/ra/bjm/br

KEYWORD: WOODCHIPS

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