Hunger strike farmer unveils plan

Peter Spencer.

THE HUNGER striking Cooma farmer Peter Spencer will visit the Northern Rivers next week to unveil his eight-point People Power Action Plan.

Mr Spencer is on a 12-week tour across six states to launch The Tower of Hope People Power Movement.

“The eight-point plan will get people thinking to put pressure on politicians,” one of the organisers Julia O’Flaherty said.

Mr Spencer went on a 52-day hunger strike, gaining national media attention, to protest against the NSW Native Vegetation Act, which stopped him from clearing sections of his farm for agricultural use.

Mr Spencer will be speaking at a public meeting at McKees Hill Hall on Tuesday, March 16, at 7pm. Entry is $10 and all proceeds from the night will go to the Tower of Hope Fighting Fund.

Yesterday, Mr Spencer was granted leave to appeal to the full bench of the High Court in Canberra to determine whether he should be paid compensation for the Commonwealth acquiring his property rights.

Peter Spencer’s barrister Peter King said it was a welcome decision with wide-ranging implications.

Another Northern Rivers based group, Coo-ee Regional Property Rights Association, will be discussing issues related to the same act at a meeting at the Casino RSM on Monday, March 22, at 7.30pm.