Email to Neale Burgess MP 23/9/13 - Knitting Nannas of Toolangi being persecuted.

Email to Neale Burgess MP 23/9/13 - Knitting Nannas of Toolangi being persecuted.

Dear Mr Burgess,

The Forest-Wars have taken a dangerous new twist. The logging industry is now actively collecting data and prosecuting individuals who stand in their way. They have attacked our elders, The Knitting Nannas of Toolangi. They are prosecuting them for obstructing logging. Please see this Facebook Post: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=381416128656413&set=a.290839747714052.1073741828.290793144385379&type=1

One person commenting on this page described this as 'despicable'.

I have already copied you some traffic today to Minister Greg Hunt MP, regarding the removal of protester's rights. I note the stance of the Liberal Party, and the spirit with which they have conducted themselves. I'm afraid to say that I do not believe their actions are in the best interests of the environment or the nation. Removing the rights of ordinary people to peacefully protest is a militant, draconian strategy, and it won't work.

I am ramping up to contact with many international non-governmental organisations about the persecution of the Knitting Nannas of Toolangi. I will not direct them to industry, but instead, point them to the government policy that is causing such legal action to be viable. In this way, I will demonstrate that Knitting Nannas and anyone else (myself included) are being attacked for political crimes, by the government.

I humbly request that you immediately suspend legal prosecutions against the Knitting Nannas of Toolangi. As VicForest is owned by the taxpayer, I believe you carry moral and ethical responsibility here, and international NGOs will see this clearly.

All the legal action is doing is forcing us to escalate the fight against Leadbeater's Possum's deliberate extinction plan on an exponential level. We will use these brave martyrs to make example, and draw the world's interest.

Please respond in writing about how you propose to deal with the erosion of my rights as a conservationist, and any legal action against the Knitting Nannas of Toolangi.

Yours faithfully,

Brad Lemon

Former Lieutenant/Secretary Tyabb Fire Brigade 2000-2006

@tyabblemons

24/09/2013 2:26 PM No response to this email has been received at this time.

Another sent:

24th September, 2013.

Dear Neale,

I have some great concerns about a story reported yesterday in The Australian: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/companies-to-get-protection-from-activists-boycotts/story-fn59niix-1226724817535

Here's an excerpt:

It is clear to me that the Liberal Party have been moving to shore up their very weak position on logging, and live animal exports. My car carries stickers from both campaigns. By stopping me from reaching out to consumers of products which destroy our environment and hurt animals, I must now contact international Non-Governmental Organisations and request their help. I was prepared to debate with you in good faith, but you can see clearly here that you have been telling me one thing, while working towards another agenda.

Would you please tell me if you endorse the Liberal Party position, and their strategy to remove my right to protest by informing consumers about unethical products?

Thank you very much for your time,

Brad Lemon

Former Lieutenant/Secretary Tyabb Fire Brigade 2000-2006

@tyabblemons