Court denies the Wilderness Society’s right to criminally charge state logging agency amidst looming questions of illegality

A decision handed down in Launceston Magistrates Court today has denied the Wilderness Society's right to criminally charge Forestry Tasmania for potentially illegal logging activities in Lutruwita / Tasmania.

Magistrate Evan Hughes’ decision will have significant access to justice implications for people and communities who want to hold the logging industry to account for possible illegal logging activities in Lutruwita / Tasmania’s precious native forests.

The decision means that the Wilderness Society, who are alleging that the state-owned logging agency has illegally logged native forest along protected streams in the Styx region in breach of the Forest Practices Act 1985, cannot continue with their criminal matter.

Serious questions of illegality persist about logging in Lutruwita / Tasmania’s magnificent native forests. These forests are habitat to declining species such as swift waylitja / parrot, Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle and eastern quoll.

Alice Hardinge, Campaigns Manager for the Wilderness Society Tasmania, said, “This is a setback for forest conservation in Lutruwita / Tasmania. This decision will sadly prevent communities from holding the logging industry to account for potentially illegal logging activities in Lutruwita / Tasmania’s precious native forests.

“This outcome is also a setback for businesses buying wood from Tasmania's forests. After today's decision, these businesses cannot be any more confident that the persistent questions of illegality that surround Forestry Tasmania are being adequately addressed.

“Today’s decision is disappointing, not just for those people who are ardently wanting Forestry Tasmania to be held to account, but also for Lutruwita’s/Tasmania’s forests and the species that depend on them to live who otherwise do not have a voice.”

Lawyers for the Wilderness Society Tasmania are reviewing the decision and any right to appeal.