The Gunns 20
Up-dates -
2/01/2006 - Gunns defendant wins film awardNext page - What Gunns are doing in Tasmanias Forests ?
-will they be in Victoria next?
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While Tasmanian billion dollar Australian registered company Gunns Limited and its shareholders (including the Commonwealth Bank and AMP) bathe in record profits from woodchipping and vandalising Tasmania's native forests, poisoning its wildlife and spraying carcinogenic chemicals, it initiates legal action in Melbourne for $6.3 million in damages against ordinary Tasmanian mums and dads that dare to oppose the Gunns regime and who can't afford legal representation. " - Quote, and picture, of Mr John Gay - longstanding Managing Director of Gunns Ltd, - from the " Mc Gunns" Website - moreForestry giant Gunns Ltd has served writs on 20 targets (labelled the "Gunns 20") including Senator Bob Brown (Leader of the Australian Greens), Peg Putt MHA (Leader of the Tasmanian Greens), The Wilderness Society, Doctors for Native Forests, The Huon Valley Environment Centre, and numerous individual community campaigners.
The case is ‘industrial’ style litigation, alleging conspiracy, interference with trade and business and defamation.
This is the largest corporate SLAPP (Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation) suit ever launched in Australia and could create important precedents in relation to the rights of individual and community groups to speak out and take action.
This legal attack is now a significant public interest issue. It has galvanised the community. Of course the Greens will not stop speaking up for our forests. An important new dimension has been added to our campaign, the right to freedom of speech and peaceful protest.
Download the entire writ served to the "Gunns 20" from Senator Bob Brown's website here »
New Book "SLAPPING on the writs "- by Brian Walters SC, details of the history of these writs with Australian examples- see Teachers for Forests- Shop
Free lawyers line up to battle Gunns- By CLAIRE KONKES - 06feb05 More clear background articles by Claire Konkes- Hobart Mercury
How the scenario developed - Media articles sequenced through 2004 Past and Future Events in support of Gunns 20 - (Victoria)
Jamie Gardiner, spokesperson for Liberty Victoria speaking at the Gunns 20 action, 14 January 2005 outside the Victorian Supreme Court building William St, Melbourne. The case has been filed in Victoria rather than Tasmania. More pictures below.
Gunns allege that Bob Brown, Peg Putt, the Wilderness Society and a total of 20 defendants have been involved in campaigns against it. They filed a 216-page writ in the Victorian Supreme Court on 13 December 2004 seeking total damages of $6,360,483.00. The defendants presented their response to the court on the 14th January.
The Victorian Greens are showing support for the legal team by selling these stickers below
"SO SUE ME" Stickers are available now. Funds raised from the sale of the stickers go directly to the Gunns 20 Fund. Call into the Vic Greens office. Bulk orders (which will be filled in the new year) can be made by emailing: office@vic.greens.org.au
Other links: www.tas.greens.org.au OR www.bobbrown.org.au
Further information phone the Vic Greens State Office: 03 9602 1141
Some of the banners and placards pressing home the messages of free speech