Miranda Gibson
THE state government has condemned an ``unlawful'' anti-logging protest in a World Heritage-nominated forest in southern Tasmania.
Yesterday, police arrested at least one protester at Butlers Gorge near Lake King William.
The activists - from green group Still Wild, Still Threatened - were protesting against logging in the area.
One protester chained themself to a gate while another climbed into a tree sit.
About 10 other protesters were on site.
Group spokeswoman Miranda Gibson said that despite the condemnation, the activists would continue ``to take action to bring an end to the logging of these globally significant forests''.
Ms Gibson has been in a tree sit in the Florentine Valley for more than a year as part of her protest.
Opposition forestry spokesman Peter Gutwein said the incident showed the proposed forestry peace deal would not stop the protests.
``If Labor seriously thinks that their so-called forest peace process is the solution then it shows just how out of touch they are,'' he said.
The protest was sparked by news that a small number of coupes were being harvested in areas nominated for protection under the deal.
But Deputy Premier Bryan Green said the coupes were part of existing harvesting operations to meet contractual wood supply requirements.
``This is consistent with the signatories' agreement which recognises the need for a transitional period involving short-term logging in some proposed reserve areas to allow wood supply requirements to be met until logging schedules can be redirected to alternative areas,'' he said.
``The government supports the democratic right of people to protest, provided it is not unlawful.''