In 1982, Tasmania was deeply divided over a hydroelectric commission proposal to dam the Gordon River and flood the Franklin River in the state's south-west. The incoming Liberal government vowed to go ahead with the project, but faced passionate opposition. One of the key players in the campaign to stop the flooding was Bob Brown, the first green politician elected to the Tasmanian parliament. Read more here: https://ab.co/3JtmXGs 🎙️: Loretta Lohberger for ABC News. | ABC Hobart

The protests that saved the Franklin River could not have happened today. This week was the 41st anniversary of one of the biggest and most important protests in Australia’s history, against the Franklin Dam. At the time protesters were condemned and arrested by the hundreds, but today they are considered heroes. In fact, at the 30 year commemoration of the protests in nipaluna/Hobart, I have fond memories of being at a bar and seeing ex policemen laughing with and slapping on the back the very