Anybody who seriously believes this latest attack against John and his family was not orchestrated by the anti-pulp mill campaigners is kidding themselves.

These people believe they are above the law, that they are protected from the law and that therefore they can break the law with impunity in order to draw attention to themselves.

This sort of vigilantism has been part of the tactics of anti- pulp mill activists for some time. I and my family have suffered from their tactics as well. We too have suffered virtual home invasion at the hands of expertly trained anti- pulp mill operatives.

The spotlight needed to be turned on those members of the anti-pulp mill organisation who regard themselves as non-violent and law-abiding protesters to demand they co-operate with police to help identify those among them who are responsible for these despicable attacks before they seriously injure someone.

Surely enough is enough. The time has come for the law-abiding citizens of Northern Tasmania in particular to demand that strong action is taken by Tasmania Police to undertake a major investigation to find out who is responsible for these attacks.

It is clear that not all protesters condone violence as a weapon, but by their silence they are providing safe refuge to expertly trained operatives whose role it is to use whatever means available, including violent methods, to stop the pulp mill.

It is also time for the leadership of the anti-pulp mill movement to remove from within their number those persons who think violence is a legitimate weapon before they cause serious injury to someone.

The attack on the Gays' family home and the unruly behaviour of protesters at the recent cabinet forum in Beaconsfield was evidence that the anti-pulp mill leadership had decided tactically to ramp up the confrontationist nature of their campaign to stop the mill.