A prominent anti-forestry protestor – who allegedly breached bail by attending a protest at NSW Forestry Corporation offices and injuring a police officer – has been ordered to stay at least 500 metres away from the state-owned logging service.
The ABC reports that Mark Graham, 49, was first arrested in June after attending and filming a protest at the NSW Forestry Corporation offices in Coffs Harbour. Police allege that during the demonstration, he attempted to evade arrest and struck a police officer on the foot. He was released on bail shortly thereafter.
His legal troubles then escalated on July 9, when he was remanded in custody again after allegedly sending an intimidating message to the mother of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams. That message, sent the day prior, reportedly stated that the mayor had “earned a place in hell.” Graham now faces charges of intimidation, contravening an apprehended violence order (AVO), and hindering police.
During Wednesday’s bail hearing, held via video link, Justice Richard Weinstein approved Graham’s release under strict conditions. These include a prohibition on entering within 500 metres of any Forestry Corporation premises. “It’s a very volatile situation up there,” Justice Weinstein said. “We want to prevent the volatility.” He added that a Forestry Corporation vehicle was akin to “a red flag to a bull” for the defendant.
The decision comes amid growing public attention to Graham’s activism. Wood Central understands Graham holds an unrestricted pass to Parliament House in Sydney and has previously assisted Greens MP Sue Higginson with MC and organisational duties. His arrest and remand have not been publicly addressed. Graham also reportedly received financial support through a GoFundMe campaign and has been publicly defended by environmental advocate Geoff Cousens.
Today, Wood Central spoke to Maree McCaskill, CEO of Timber NSW, who said Graham – seen by a section of the community as a campaigner for saving native forestry – has been reported for stalking forestry workers, tailing forestry vehicles, sending messages on social media, abusing people who work for forestry-related businesses and their families.
“You can have your view about forestry, but threatening and abusing people and invading workplaces is unacceptable. A look at his many social media accounts tells the story. Abusive foul language and threats,” McCaskill said. “It is this behaviour and those protestors who lock onto equipment, block roads and stop legal forest operations that require operational shutdowns and in turn cause the loss of money for Forestry Corporation, who are criticised constantly for their losses in parliament and in the media.”
“If your workplace was blocked off or you were prevented from carrying out your legal job, and it caused a shutdown for which you were not paid, how would you feel?”
Graham is a well-known figure in the environmental community and previously served as a councillor for the City of Coffs Harbour. He has also appeared in several ABC documentaries, including Australia’s Wild Odyssey. During the hearing, the Director of Public Prosecutions opposed bail, arguing that Graham posed an “unacceptable risk to workers and the community.”
Justice Weinstein acknowledged the seriousness of the charges but noted that continued custody could result in Graham serving more time than the likely non-parole period. “Mr Graham is a perfectly respectable citizen until about 2022 or thereabouts, perfectly law-abiding, and then on one view, he goes a little bit off the rails after that,” he said. “It is not the most serious of offences, but serious enough.”
The court also heard that Graham had received support from several community members, including Steven Chaffer, CEO of the Bob Brown Foundation, who submitted a letter of support. As part of his bail conditions, Graham must report daily to Coffs Harbour Police Station, comply with a curfew, refrain from using encrypted devices, and avoid contact with prosecution witnesses. He is scheduled to reappear before Coffs Harbour Local Court on September 17.
Editor’s Note: Wood Central has issued a formal retraction regarding earlier claims that Sue Higginson received support through a GoFundMe campaign. Ms Higginson has confirmed she has never received funding through this or any other GoFundMe campaign.
