144 AXE ATTACK ON OTWAY'S CONSERVATIONISTS

Media Release, Otway Ranges Environment Network, December 1, 1998

The Greens candidate for the federal seat of Corangamite and another conservationist were today attacked by a member of a logging team at a logging coupe behind Lorne. The Greens candidate and Apollo Bay businessman, Mr Adrian Whitehead, received five stitches to his head after being knocked unconscious in an attack with an axe-handle. In an earlier incident at the same location, Mr Matthew Rees of Warranambool was struck on the back of the head with the blunt end of a hand-axe. When attacked, both Mr. Whitehead and Mr. Rees were viewing the destruction of forests in the Cumberland River Catchment, 20 minutes from Lorne. This forest is currently being clearfell logged by the Dent's Logging team from Barwon Downs.

Local eco-tourism operator and greens candidate, Mr Whitehead said, "I understand the frustration held by loggers but our campaign is against corporatisation and State Government mismanagement of timber and pulp >resources in our State Forests. Members of the local community must be able to protest when large coupes are cleared in fragile areas of old forest without the threat of pointless violence. This incident seems to follow a pattern of dirty tricks and violence by the timber industry to discredit and intimidate residents and conservationists . It would appear that some logging teams think they are a law unto their own in the Otways."

Mr Whitehead was kept at Lorne Hospital for observation as he was struck on the temple after being threatened and hit on the leg. The other victim Mr Rees is recovering from the shock of the incident.