Scott Morrison has been forced to dodge an environmental activist who crashed a pre-election campaign event to speak to him about a controversial mine.
The prime minister met with Burnie-based manufacturing company Elphinstone – a defence contractor for the federal government – on Monday as part of a tour of marginal seats in regional Tasmania.
But the affair was interrupted by an activist from conservational organisation the Bob Brown Foundation who was protesting a proposal to turn part of Takayna Tarkine rainforest into a waste site for Chinese-owned mining company MMG.
After signing into the premises as a visitor, Courtney Hayes approached Mr Morrison as he gathered in a carpark with the business owners.
‘Mr Morrison, my name’s Courtney,’ she calls out, racing towards him as he turned to walk towards a car to retrieve his glasses.
Scott Morrison spent Monday touring marginal seats in regional Tasmania (pictured) ahead of the upcoming election
Environmental activist Courtney Hayes (pictured left) approached Scott Morrison as he stopped at a business in Burnie, in the state’s north west
‘I just want to talk to you about the Takayna Tarkine. I think it is really important we bring up some of these issues,’ she continued.
The nation’s leader appeared to ignore her, reaching into the back seat of a black SUV to as she tried to gain his attention.
Members of Mr Morrison’s entourage quickly rushed over and tried and escort the activist away.
‘Don’t touch me!’ she said as several men placed their hands on her arms.
‘I will move if you stop touching me. Please stop touching me,’ she said.
Mr Morrison’s team removed their hands, with Ms Hayes then turning to face a nearby camera to continue her address
‘This is not on the current national stage. We are here to start dialogue about why the Tarkine is significant,’ she said, as Mr Morrison discreetly slipped away behind her.
A man who was part of the meeting then confronted Ms Hayes to tell her it was not her ‘place or time’ to speak with the prime minister.
‘We haven’t had an audience with Mr Morrison, I’ve tried before so I have come here today to say we need to protect Takayna Tarkine,’ she said, before walking away.
Takayna Tarkine is 447,000 hectares of wilderness in north-west Tasmania, which is home to the Savage River National Park, the largest single area of cool temperate rainforest surviving in Australia.
The Bob Brown Foundation is protesting a proposal to turn part of Takayna Tarkine rainforest into a waste site for Chinese-owned mining company MMG
Mr Morrison appeared to ignore Ms Hayes’ attempts to gain his attention, before a member of his entourage intervened
According to Bob Brown, the region is under threat from acid mine drainage, deforestation and contamination of waterways by proposed new mines.
Ms Hayes travelled from a BBF protest camp defending the takayna forests to speak to the prime minister after local media outlets reported on his plan to visit Burnie.
‘I wanted to tell Scott Morrison that he should protect takayna and stop the planned destruction,’ she said in a statement provided to Daily Mail Australia.
‘I will continue to stand up and speak for this ancient place as long as big business and mining magnates seek to destroy it.
‘Wake up Scott – no tailings dam in the Takayna Tarkine.’
The project, which is set to clear 285 hectares of forest for a MMG tailing dam, will reportedly threaten the habitat of Tasmania’s endangered Masked Owl.
BBF Campaign Manager Jenny Weber said: ‘Scott Morrison needs to have more people peacefully interrupting his tour around the country as he oversees the crimes against the climate, Australia’s environment and wildlife.’
Mr Morrison headed to the southern state this week to spend time campaigning in crucial electorates ahead of the election, expected to take place in May.
The prime minister used the visit to announce an $86million grant for the state’s forestry industry, pledging 150 million new trees.
Takayna Tarkine is 447,000 hectares of wilderness in north-west Tasmania
The region is home to the Savage River National Park, the largest single area of cool temperate rainforest surviving in Australia, and Tasmanian’s endangered Masked Owl
Members of the opposition were quick to slam the proposal, accusing Mr Morrison of backtracking after he initially pledged to have one billion trees planted in the region in 2019.
‘Three years ago this week Morrison had this photo taken in Tassie with a “plan” to plant 1 billion trees,’ Shadow Minister for Agriculture Julie Collins Tweeted.
‘With another election approaching and having delivered just over 1% of this target he now comes back with a promise for only 150 million trees. Embarrassing.’
Greens Senator Christine Anne Milne said: ‘ Scott Morrison rushed to Tasmania, ably assisted by Sen Colbeck, promising ‘one billion trees’.
‘Now he’s back announcing 150m trees, a significant reduction on 1 billion.’
The electorates of Bass and Braddon are must-hold seats for the government, with both being on slim margins.
The coalition holds Braddon by a little more than three per cent, while the margin is even narrower in Bass, at just 0.4 per cent.
The Labor-held seat of Lyons, which sits at just more than five per cent, also remains in play at the upcoming poll.
Mr Morrison said the visit would be one of many made to Tasmania between now and when voters go to the polls.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Scott Morrison’s office for comment.
