An Aboriginal woman has been left shocked after an on-Country hearing request was rejected by a Hobart magistrate last week.

Ruth Langford sought the approval of Chief Magistrate Catherine Geason this month for part of a trespass hearing to be held on Aboriginal-owned land at Risdon Cove on Hobart's eastern shore.

The request formed part of Ms Langford's defence after she was charged with trespass in two Tasmanian logging coups last year.

In January 2025, the Yorta Yorta / Dja Dja Wurring woman was arrested at a logging coupe at Snow Hill on Tasmania's east coast before being arrested three months later during a forest protest in the Wellington Range, south of Hobart.

"I was shocked because Tasmania is the only state jurisdiction that chooses not to have on-Country hearings," Ms Langford told National Indigenous Times.

"I actually naively had not prepared my response in depth for a rejection. I genuinely could not understand.

"I couldn't fathom how she could say no, given under her act, very clearly, she has the capacity and the power."

A longtime forest defender, Ms Langford's actions are rooted in her cultural obligation to protect Country.

She says Tasmania's forest industry, in particular the harvesting of old growth forests, is having a devastating effect on the state's waterways while increasing the risk of "catastrophic" bushfires.

"The current practices, including massacring whole cultural landscapes, have no real benefit to the public," she said.

"We have seen for the last decade, report after report... calling for an immediate end for logging old growth forest."

"The mismanagement is not only the slaughtering of these once vibrant, rich and healthy ecologies, but we're also seeing a bleed on the public purse."

Ms Langford said Tasmania's forests have immense ecological and environmental value.

"They help protect us from wildfires. They help create healthy waterways, and they retain carbon," she said.

For Aboriginal people, she says, Tasmania's forests are also rooted deeply in traditional culture.

"But most importantly, for our people, those forests are our kin," she said.

"They teach us our relational obligations and how to live in healthy ways and healthy societies."

Ms Langford, who is self-representing in court, said she provided all the precedents of on-Country hearings to Magistrate Geason, which have been held across the country.

"We had said very clearly... this case represented an understanding of my obligation to Country, and in order for her to make a fully informed decision, then she needs to come to Country," Ms Langford said.

Calling the decision "just another day in the colony," Ms Langford said her cause "did not lose anything" from Chief Magistrate Geason's decision.

"But it was a tragic loss for Tasmanian society to see ethical and moral leadership towards healing the injustices and finding a better way to relate to Earth, honouring culture and traditions."

Ms Langford's case returns to court on June 4 where she will continue to stand up for "law in Country".

"I am obligated to protect life," Ms Langford said. "It is our law in Country. That is the law."