Senator Ian McDonald is a low-profile minister in the Howard pecking
order, in charge of forestry and conservation. Maybe that’s why
he thinks he can get away with press releases like this: “Barbeque an opportunity to grill protestors,” which seems to incite biffo against greenies blockading a NSW south coast forest.

Tension is high in the region, with protesters claiming to have been
assaulted as the CFMEU muscles up against greenies campaigning against
woodchipping. So is the minister wise to weigh in by supporting
yesterday’s loggers’ rally a short distance from the eight-week
Wandella blockade?

Particularly when he uses language like this: “Too often, the only
rallies we see are from the bong brigade who have got time to hang
around and protest against everything,” Senator McDonald said.

“This region has been scientifically assessed under the Regional Forest
Agreement for its sustainable values and, yet, these protesters still
aren’t satisfied. It just goes to show how superficial and irrational
these so-called ‘green’ ideals are.”

Superficial? Irrational? The “bong brigade”? McDonald might think he’s
being funny. But Jungian analysts might look at his blathering and put
it down to a classic case of projection.