The forest industry has conducted its own protest in response to action by anti-logging campaigners on the New South Wales far south coast
Around 15 industry representatives campaigned at Bega yesterday while activists were appearing in court in connection with a series of blockades in the Mumbulla State Forest earlier this year.
The CEO of Timber Communities Australia, Jim Adams, says workers and their families have faced harassment and vilification for years.
And he says there is concern the protesters can undertake dangerous stunts with no ramifications.
"The first question is who's in control of the workplace once a protest occurs," he said.
"The activities that occur then present a significant risk to safety, not only of our own members but also of the protesters themselves, and also the police who have to come and deal with it.
"We believe the Workcover Authority should be inspecting the protest activities and ruling on those safety issues."
He says it is the responsibility of Workcover to investigate.
"We haven't been able to generate interest within the Workcover Authority to look at that question for us," he said.
The case into the forest protest activities has been adjourned.
Ten people faced Bega Local Court charged with about 30 offences after their attempts to stop logging east of the town.
The case was moved to the region from a Sydney court earlier this month, when the activists argued they should not be expected to travel long distances for the hearing.
They will appear again next month.
They say their approach is the only way to raise awareness of native forest harvesting.
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