A reminder of who was in the B-team ready to exploit the Baxter family. Greenpeace. The Greens.
BY COLIN BETTLES 06 Aug, 2011 04:00 AM
MICK and Zanthe Baxter are furious at a student film director’s failure to disclose her links to Greenpeace’s anti-GM (genetically modified) campaign and the Steve Marsh Benefit Fund, when visiting their Kojonup farm in Western Australia last month.
The Baxters have been under intense pressure throughout the past year, facing legal threats from their organic farming neighbour, Steve Marsh, over alleged GM canola "contamination" of his farm from their crop.
They have been advised by their lawyers not to comment on the issue.
But privately, they are frustrated at Mr Marsh’s ongoing media and public campaign.
The Baxters expressed serious concerns that student director, Louise Sales, sat around the family’s kitchen table discussing the case, without disclosing her connections to the Steve Marsh Benefit Fund, Greenpeace and her employer, WA Greens MLC, Lynn McLaren, who publicly opposes GM crops.
Against advice, the Baxters agreed to assist the student film production from the Film and Television Institute of WA (FTI) based in Fremantle.
The proposed film was looking into the human impacts of the GM issue on the Kojonup community and the rift between the neighbours, which has sparked national and international media attention.
The Baxters signed agreements authorising the 10-minute film’s release, which was being produced by FTI student, Jessica Quinnell.
After discovering the director’s undisclosed connections, the Baxters were furious - and grew nervous the footage could potentially be used to misrepresent their case.
Their anxieties were heightened after Greenpeace activists destroyed CSIRO GM wheat trials in Canberra on July 14, to publicise its anti-GM wheat campaign.
That case is currently under investigation by the Australian Federal Police, with charges yet to be laid.
Ms Baxter said she became suspicious during a preliminary interview with the student film crew on Saturday July 23, while venting her feelings on Greenpeace’s involvement in supporting Mr Marsh’s legal challenge.
She said she only knew Ms Sales only by her first name at that stage.
But Ms Baxter grew curious when Ms Sales and Ms Quinnell turned and "gave each other a funny look" after hearing her stern views on Greenpeace’s role in the situation.
Her suspicions roused, Ms Baxter asked the producer to provide the full names of the other three students who visited the farm, which confirmed Ms Sale’s identity and Greenpeace links...
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