Anti-Logging Protests on Fraser Island by Greg Early

Anti-logging protests on Fraser Island – by Greg Early

In the early days of the Goss Labor Government, protests were launched against logging on FraserIsland. From recollection, these commenced early in 1990 and went on for over twelve months before the government decided to end logging on this island which had been undertaken for many years. World Heritage listing followed.

While I may not see it in my lifetime, I predict that one day there will be a fierce fire on Fraser Island which will reduce to rubble the many trees that would otherwise have been removed under an effective logging plan. Facts often never heard, are that the Forestry Department strictly controlled the trees that were to be taken, that only re-growth timber was felled, that many people were employed directly and indirectly and that the island produced a unique type of timber.

I recall that Inspector Stan Rossow, then District Officer, Maryborough, had drawn up an operational order, which among other things, related to the arrest of protestors for a breach of the peace and their transportation to Hervey Bay for processing. (I always believed that they would beat the police officers back to the Island because I could not see them not being granted bail).

These were the early days of peaceful protests and at the request of then Deputy Commissioner Bob Kirkpatrick these were allowed to continue. Commander Jim O’Sullivan (later Assistant Commissioner, then Deputy Commissioner and later Commissioner) had been appointed in charge of the region (I had been Regional Superintendent for a couple of years but never got an interview for the position) and he was aware of the change in attitude.

In the early stages not much interference was caused to logging but as time went on the protestors became more of a nuisance with the result that the loggers and police officers became more and more frustrated. Productivity was being affected and jobs were being threatened.

The Forestry Department particularly, but also the loggers, expected the police officers who were stationed on the island to solve the problem by the use of force if necessary. I felt that the Forestry Department should play a larger role and I remember calling a meeting in Maryborough of its senior officers, senior police and the two Members of Parliament who were involved (that was coverage of Fraser Island, Hervey Bay and Maryborough—the areas affected).

I distinctly recall telling all assembled that if a senior official of the Forestry Department indicated that the continued presence of protestors around a tree which was being felled would endanger lives police officers would then act to remove the offending protestors to 'a safe distance'.

While I do not think the Forestry Department officials liked doing this, it nevertheless was done and protestors were removed to a safe distance. But there was variance in the distance of removal and I did hear of trips from one side of the island to the other being regarded as a safe distance.

For those who have not encountered a ride in a short-wheel-base four-wheel-drive over this type of terrain, it would tempt you not to walk back quickly for another protest and subsequent removal to a safe distance. All-round it was a time and cost-incurring exercise. We had to use police personnel from most of the region to give a continuous coverage. We rented premises from time-to-time, supplied food and the officers looked after themselves extremely well. They were rotated from time-to-time and I am confident that many of them became well accustomed to the free and easy lifestyle on the island. Some regarded it as rest and recreation.

While we did not please the loggers in our stance (and I am sure that some of the police officers had difficulty in coping with the standoff tactics), we carried through with a decree by a new government that peaceful protests were to be permitted. But we also proved that peaceful went just so far and then it became a breach of the peace.

I recently saw a former Senior Sergeant who as a Sergeant was in charge of the operation on the island. We recounted when I told him that he and his subordinates had to back off and let them demonstrate provided they did so peacefully; also that his response was, ‘Will you put that in writing?’ to which I replied, ‘Yes as soon as I get back to Gympie’. (Jim O’Sullivan and I had flown to the island in the Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service chopper.) The Senior Sergeant was Ken Salmon, aka Sockai, who retired from Maroochydore Station.