Solid SLAPP Misses Target

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An application by a New Zealand government-owned coal mining company, Solid Energy, for $NZ379,342 in witness costs and legal expenses against two environmental groups has been dismissed. Forest and Bird and the Buller Conservation Group (BCG) had argued before the Environment Court against approval for a new open-cut coal mine. While the Court approved the project, it dismissed the company's costs claim. Forest and Bird's Regional Conservation Officer, Eugenie Sage, said the company "was trying to punish Forest and Bird and BCG for daring to oppose the mine. This was clearly a strategic law suit against public participation SLAPP." Meanwhile, the conservative opposition National Party has promised to restart the logging of rainforests on public land if it wins office in the mid-September general election. A contributing factor to the National Party losing office in 1999 were revelations of a covert PR campaign by Shandwick for the government owned logging company, Timberlands.