FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 01, 2010

PETER SPENCER HUNGER STRIKE: DAY 40

UPDATE - BREAKING NEWS: COO-EE DRIVE – the Bush comes to the Lodge and Tower of Hope – Monday 4 January

Peter Spencer is now in the 40th day of his hunger strike in protest against vegetation laws that were put in place through inter-Governmental agreements to effectively steal the benefit of the carbon sequestered in that vegetation to meet Australia’s committment to the Kyoto Protocol treaty.

Peter’s health is continuing to deteriorate, however he remains resolute in his determination to continue his hunger strike until Kevin Rudd agrees to a Royal Commission to inquire into the deceitful mess that has been perpetrated on farmers by the Federal Government and lower levels of Government since the early 1990s; and for payment of the resulting benefit received by the Commonwealth to the farmers.

Peter’s determination is resulting in a wave of support across the whole of Australia leading to the Coo-ee Drive, a reprise of the world famous Coo-ee Gilgandra Route March to Sydney of 1915.

Elements of the Coo-ee Drive include:

A bus from Lismore, and a bus from Coffs Harbour picking up volunteers in Port Macquarie, Taree, Hexham, Maitland and Muswellbrook.

Another bus from Inverell, and a bus from the Nyngan-Tottenham area.

Supporters from western NSW, Queensland, Sydney, Melbourne and southern NSW

Bus loads of supporters will meet in Magna Carta Place, Queen Victoria Terrace, Canberra at 10:30 AM.

Buses/vehicles from the south (southern NSW, Victoria and Cooma district) will meet first at Snowy Hydro Information Centre, Monaro Highway, Cooma at 8:30. Then leave for Magna Carta Place, Canberra at 9:00 latest

The rally will start in Magna Carta Place at 10:30, and supporters will march from Magna Carta Place at 11:15 to New Parliament House and then to The Lodge

Supporters will then demonstrate at The Lodge.

Later there will be a second rally at the Tower of Hope, Saarahnlee, Shannons Flat.

- ENDS -

To arrange an interview, photographs of the 'Tower of Hope', or for further information, please contact:

Alastair McRobert:

0429-361-318

02-6454-5141

ozpond@optusnet.com.au

COOMA DISTRICT

Meet in front of Snowy Hydro Information Centre, Monaro Highway (left side of road, north side of Cooma) at 8:30 AM, leave for Canberra at 9:00 AM LATEST. Maps will be provided.

Transport by private vehicles - if you want to attend second rally at Saarahnlee - 4WD/AWD vehicle preferable.

Local coordination - Ian Hampton mb. 0400 528 115