Stifling activists does us all harm in the long term.

(From Canberra Times)

A CENTURY ago Sydney Harbour was not only set to be mined for coal but the company that had the rights to the coal under the harbour wanted to use the foreshore reserve between Mosman and Cremorne for its operations. Had two members of the public not exercised their statutory rights to object to the company's acquisition of the foreshore, the mine at Cremorne might well have proceeded. Their action helped to stop it, safeguarding that part of the harbour.

This case is just one of the earliest in a long line of cases in which members of the public have exercised their right to object, appeal and go to to court to protect Australia's environment. The benefits of their doing so have been enormous. The Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Island …