Logging contractor found guilty of assault after cutting forest protester’s rope

A logger who cut the rope tied to a protester hanging from a tree above his logging machine has been found guilty of assault.

The Bob Brown Foundation said that in May last year, when the conflict took place, Helena Griffiths made a “peaceful protest” with 10 other people in the area they claimed was a swift parrot breeding ground.

Hobart Magistrates’ Court heard Griffith was horrified when his platform, 20 meters above the ground, became unstable.

In a video shown to the court in September, Griffiths could be heard shouting at the worker after his rope was cut.

“Fuck you, you fucking asshole,” he shouted as she watched and another protester demanded to know what happened.

The man was later filmed saying: “Surely he’s not stupid enough to commit himself to this.”

Former Greens leader Bob Brown says logging in Tasmania’s native forests must be stopped.

“This is a rare case of loggers engaging in dangerous behavior in defiance of protesters being charged and convicted,” he said.

“The ultimate violence we want to stop is the destruction of vibrant forests, but Prime Minister Albanese is right behind the vandals.”

The case will return to Hobart Magistrates’ Court next year.