Media Release - Monday 23rd March 2009

Ula Majewski Commences Proceedings Against Workplace Standards Tasmania.

Ula Majewski today instigated proceedings against Workplace Standards Tasmania over its investigation into her role in December's peaceful direct action at Gunns Limited Triabunna woodchip mill. The Indonesian based Ms Majewski is claiming that Workplace Standards have exceeded their powers in their attempted investigation.

“ Workplace Standards have attempted to interrogate me by post when I understand they have no powers to do this. Workplace Standards have previously targeted forest activists, with the Director of Public Prosecutions finding that they had no powers to do so under the Workplace Health and Safety Act,” Ms Majewski said.

“ I do not take kindly to having a letter asking me, for example, why I used a credit card to hire a vehicle. My understanding is that Workplace Standards have gone a long way beyond their mandated role to protect the well being of Tasmania's workers,” Ms Majewski said.

“ This investigation is yet another example of the misuse of taxpayer funded services by the state government. Yesterday saw 150 people decrying the waste of police resources to intimidate people who attended rallies in the Upper Florentine, and we are seeing this same abuse in Workplace Standards investigation into the Triabunna protest. ,” Huon Valley Environment Centre Spokesperson Warrick Jordan said.

“ Gunns and Forestry Tasmania are already subsidised by the government, and now David Bartlett is happy to waste the resources of Workplace Standards and Tasmania Police in hounding activists on the behalf of the woodchippers,” Warrick Jordan said.

“ Ms Majewski's commencement of proceedings today, the Triabunna13's defense of Gunns' writ, the recent victory of the Wilderness Society in the Gunns20 case, and yesterdays community action in support of the Upper Florentine demonstrate that Tasmanians will not accept intimidation or suffer spurious legal challenges,” Warrick Jordan said.