Protesters drum up a fight against dam that will threaten endangered species

By ELLIOT HEATH

Global environmental group Extinction Rebellion are trying to drum their way into the ears of Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek, by holding weekly drum protests outside the Minister’s Redfern office.

The group are asking Plibersek to reject a proposed toxic tailings dam by Chinese owned company MMG in the heartland of the Takayna National Park. The national park, located in Tasmania’s north-west, is home to an expanse of cool-temperate rainforest. 

Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Doro Babeck said the protests were simply to remind Plibersek to do her job. 

“We are reminding Tanya to do her job. She has a decision in front of her to make on a toxic tailings dam inside ancient rainforest in Tasmania’s Tarkine, so we are reminding her not to approve this project” Babeck told City Hub.  

The proposed dam is to be constructed in the centre of already threatened species the Tasmanian Masked Owls habitat, which is native to Tasmania. Extinction Rebellion protestors have offered Tanya Plibersek the chance to visit the owl in its natural habitat, with no response from the Minister. 

The proposed dam is just one of the diverse range of environmental issues Extinction Rebellion have been protesting outside Plibersek’s office since they started in March of this year.  

Protesters also push against Labor government’s emissions targets

The group has also protested the new Climate Change Bill prosed by Anthony Albanese and his Labor Government suggesting the proposed 43 percent emissions reduce isn’t enough to save the planet. 

“He has started at 43% which is not good enough. We should have 60% by the end of the decade. We are not seeing the scale required, we need to do more, a lot more” Babeck told City Hub.  

Babeck, who donned an impressive Tasmanian Masked Owl costume at the protest, described the start of Plibersek’s time as Minister for Environment as disappointing. 

“I think it has been quite disappointing and I’m not the only one saying that. There is a general sense of disappointment in the community that she could be doing more. She hasn’t been as good as we hoped.”. 

City Hub reached out to Plibersek for comment, but has not yet received a reply.