Greenpeace’s unlawful protest and destruction of Genetically Modified (GM) crop trials at CSIRO facilities in Canberra in 2011 are a key reason why it should be struck-off the Register of Environmental Organisations, according to Queensland LNP Senator Matthew Canavan.
The inquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment into the register of environmental organisations was launched in March.
In his submission, Senator Canavan said Greenpeace members scaled the 1.8-metre fences at a CSIRO facility in 2011 and destroyed a GM trial wheat crop with whipper snippers.
“Greenpeace used a video the activists made of the destruction for publicity purposes,” he said.
“Greenpeace was fined $280,000 and the two members given (suspended) jail sentences.”
Senator Canavan believes organisations that break the law should not remain on the register, despite claiming their work is in the public benefit and therefore eligible to receive tax deductions.
Related on the SLP
He said Greenpeace had “repeatedly and blatantly broken the law and often boasts about doing so”.
During a recent ABC Radio interview, Greenpeace political advisor Jessica Panegyes said her organisation’s job was to protect the environment and the tens of thousands of Australians who regularly donate to Greenpeace every month support the range of tactics they employ to do that – including breaking the law where necessary – or taking peaceful direct action.
According to Senator Canavan, in 2014, Greenpeace Australia received $19.4 million in tax-deductible donations meaning around $6 million in reduced tax for donors “courtesy of all Australian taxpayers”.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Greenpeace under fire at inquiry
