BY FIONA BROOM
18/06/2009 11:05:00 AM
EXTREMIST environmental group the Earth Liberation Front said threats made to a Latrobe Valley power station CEO could be carried out if the station continues to operate.
International Power Australia and Victoria Police are remaining tight-lipped over a threatening letter delivered to Hazelwood Power Station CEO Graeme York on 3 June.
The environmental group, listed by the FBI in 2005 as the number one domestic terrorists in the United States, hand delivered the letter to Mr York's home address in Berwick.
The letter said as a power station CEO, Mr York was responsible for destroying the environment and his property was under threat if the station continued to operate.
``As the chief executive officer of Hazelwood Power Station, you are responsible for the dirtiest power station in Australia and the most polluting in the industrialised world,'' the letter said.
``We hold you personally accountable for this assault against our earth.
``Your property will not remain safe so long as Hazelwood continues to pollute at such an inexcusable level.''
The group said it was a nonviolent organisation, despite claiming responsibility for hundreds of property attacks across the world.
ELF spokesman Jason Crawford told The Express the group's actions were ``wholly justified'' and ``only time will tell'' if this was the beginning of a larger campaign in Australia.
``It would be fair to assume that some people are willing to damage his (Mr York's) property or the property of Hazelwood in an attempt to reduce the financial incentive behind the destruction of the environment,'' Mr Crawford said.
``Until politicians and corporations put life ahead of profits the ELF - or any citizen of the planet for that matter - are wholly justified in destroying or threatening the destruction of property belonging to the polluters.''
Premier John Brumby said ``ecoterrorist organisations'' who thought they were above the law were ``completely unacceptable''.
``For people to take the law into their own hands, to threaten individuals, is completely unacceptable,'' Mr Brumby said.
``If we need to strengthen the law in this regard in Victoria or if it needs to be strengthened nationally, that's what will occur to protect people who are acting appropriately for their companies and acting within the law.''
An International Power Australia spokesperson said the matter had been referred to Victoria Police.
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