Retailer targeted in timber protest
abc.net.au
Mark DeBono
Aug 24, 2011
Two protesters have locked themselves to the entrance gate of the Auswest timber processing plant at Bairnsdale this morning.
About a dozen activists from the group, The Last Stand, are protesting against retailer Harvey Norman for selling furniture made from native forest timber.
Police are at the scene assessing how to remove them.
A spokeswoman for the protesters, Amelia Young, says Auswest makes furniture for Harvey Norman at its Bairnsdale plant.
"There's no doubt that regional jobs are very important but the industry needs to change so that there is a sustainable future not only for our forests but also for these workers.
She says the furniture making industry should be using plantation and recycled timber.
"We're going to be here on the premises to make sure that unfortunately processing won't be able to take place today until they cease to supply Harvey Norman or Harvey Norman changes its procurement policy."