ID :
182942
Wed, 05/18/2011 - 14:17
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/182942
The shortlink copeid
Bob Irwin fined over Qld blockade
(AAP) - Environment campaigner Bob Irwin has been hit with a $300 fine for his part in a protest against the construction of a coal seam gas pipeline in southern Queensland.
Mr Irwin, the father of crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, was fined in Chinchilla Magistrates Court on Wednesday after rejecting an offer to sign a good behaviour bond because it would restrict him from taking part in further protests.
The veteran environmentalist was one of four people to face court following their arrest at a blockade on the Tara Estate, south of Chinchilla, last month for refusing to comply with police instructions.
They are opposing the construction of a 16-kilometre pipeline by gas company QGC to take coal seam gas to the nearby Kenya processing plant, fearing the expanding industry will harm the health of locals and devalue land prices.
Two of the protesters, Greens Queensland spokeswoman Dr Libby Connors and activist Thomas Brooks accepted good behaviour bonds while Friends of the Earth campaigner Drew Hutton, who is charged with obstructing the miners' activities, had his case adjourned to August 25.
No convictions were recorded.
"The magistrate, clearly, didn't want to record a conviction," Mr Hutton told AAP.
"He wanted everybody to accept a 12-month good behaviour bond.
"Bob Irwin refused to accept.
"He said: `I'm not going to be on my best behaviour for the next 12 months, I'm going to do it again'."
Following the hearing, Dr Connors accused QGC representatives of trying to intimidate protesters by taking photographs of those present outside the courthouse.
"But anyone concerned about the effects of this industry should not feel intimidated by the company's behaviour," she said.
A QGC spokesman declined to respond to the accusation.
Dr Connors also hit out at the bail conditions imposed by police following her arrest, which included banning her from travelling within 100 metres of a QGC operation, person or vehicle.
"That makes it, essentially, impossible to travel in Dalby, Tara and Chinchilla," Dr Connors told AAP.
"Every second car on the highway is a QGC car, and QGC headquarters is along her regular bus route in Brisbane's CBD."
Mr Irwin, the father of crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, was fined in Chinchilla Magistrates Court on Wednesday after rejecting an offer to sign a good behaviour bond because it would restrict him from taking part in further protests.
The veteran environmentalist was one of four people to face court following their arrest at a blockade on the Tara Estate, south of Chinchilla, last month for refusing to comply with police instructions.
They are opposing the construction of a 16-kilometre pipeline by gas company QGC to take coal seam gas to the nearby Kenya processing plant, fearing the expanding industry will harm the health of locals and devalue land prices.
Two of the protesters, Greens Queensland spokeswoman Dr Libby Connors and activist Thomas Brooks accepted good behaviour bonds while Friends of the Earth campaigner Drew Hutton, who is charged with obstructing the miners' activities, had his case adjourned to August 25.
No convictions were recorded.
"The magistrate, clearly, didn't want to record a conviction," Mr Hutton told AAP.
"He wanted everybody to accept a 12-month good behaviour bond.
"Bob Irwin refused to accept.
"He said: `I'm not going to be on my best behaviour for the next 12 months, I'm going to do it again'."
Following the hearing, Dr Connors accused QGC representatives of trying to intimidate protesters by taking photographs of those present outside the courthouse.
"But anyone concerned about the effects of this industry should not feel intimidated by the company's behaviour," she said.
A QGC spokesman declined to respond to the accusation.
Dr Connors also hit out at the bail conditions imposed by police following her arrest, which included banning her from travelling within 100 metres of a QGC operation, person or vehicle.
"That makes it, essentially, impossible to travel in Dalby, Tara and Chinchilla," Dr Connors told AAP.
"Every second car on the highway is a QGC car, and QGC headquarters is along her regular bus route in Brisbane's CBD."
