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31 October 2007
Chairman of Perpetual, Robert Savage revealed after the AGM, that the board had taken the unusual step of discussing its 15% investment in Gunns and had a "a very substantive debate". Perpetual’s "ethical" managed fund does not invest in the company as a matter of principle.
See The Australian
31 October 2007
In the election for mayor of Launceston, pulp mill supporter Ivan Dean was sensationally knocked out by mill opponent Albert Van Zetten. "The pulp mill obviously had an impact, but how much I am not sure," Mr van Zetten said.
Read The Mercury
October 31, 2007
The Tamar valley pulp mill is dividing the upper levels of society in Wentworth. On Saturday night Geoff Cousins and his partner, author Darleen Bungey, suddenly found themselves at home after being disinvited from a big Point Piper social bash. The reason: Malcolm Turnbull, future PM, would be there with his wife, Lucy.
The Age
31 October 2007
Danielle Ecuyer, an independent federal election candidate was cut off during a Perpetual Ltd AGM meeting when a firey debate erupted over Gunns plans to build the Tamar valley pulp mill. Ms Ecuyer attempted to ask about the investment risks of "spiralling carbon emissions" and global warming.
See Sydney Morning Herald.
30 October 2007
Perpetual Ltd’s annual general meeting in Sydney is to be ambushed to raise concerns about its 15 per cent investment in Gunns. Dani Ecuyer, a former investment banker, said there were "substantial risks" for investing in a company like Gunns; such as long-term supply of feedstock and the likelihood of a price on carbon in Australia in the near future.
Read The Age
29 October 2007
Tony Whish-Wilson has been a long time active Liberal supporter, General Manager of Rio Tinto, adviser to Government on business development opportunities, and is pro-market, pro-development and pro-business. He lists 12 reasons for voter discontent with the ‘spineless, clueless, leaderless and useless’ Tasmanian Liberal party. In summary, Liberals fail by:
1. Supporting the pulp mill before analysing the projects draft Integrated Impact Statement.
2. Supporting the fast track “review and assessment” after Gunns pulled out of the independent RPDC process.
3. Supporting indemnifying legislation to block any future litigation relating to the fast track process.
4. Supporting the ‘benefits only’ study from Gunns instead of a normal cost-benefits analysis.
5. Supporting a CFMEU organised pro mill rally but ignoring a small businesses expo of products sold internationally and which may be adversely impacted by the pulp mill.
7. Publicly rebuking Ben Quinn (one time federal Liberal candidate) for raising community concerns.
9. Joining the Government-sponsored, Gunns- conducted pulp mill-inspection tour overseas.
10 Supporting use of taxpayer dollars for the benefit a private corporation.
11. Ignoring AMA public health warnings of 200 extra deaths caused by mill.
12. Typically rejecting ‘facts’ put up by independent experts in favour of those from Gunns’ consultants.
For the full article, go to www.tasmaniantimes.com
29 October 2007
Transcript of the interview between radio Triple J’s Steve Kinnane and Premier Paul Lennon on Gunns proposed pulp mill. Steve Kinnane asked about: Lennon’s home renovations by Gunns and mates rates; the Government’s world class development application process and closing down public hearings; calls for a royal commission of enquiry; culture of bullying; and using taxpayers money to promote the mill.
Go to www.tasmaniantimes.com
27 October 2007
Analysis of the pulp mill debate and what Turnbulls fails to tell the voters. Forestry Tasmania confirms that the commitment not to supply old growth to the pulp mill does not mean old growth will not be chipped and exported. Up to 500,000 tonnes of old-growth woodchips would be exported each year. “Australians should end their hang-up with the logging of old growth” says Bob Gordon.
Read The Australian
27 October 2007
Greg Ansley of the New Zealand Herald traces the history of the pulp mill and politics of Tasmania from a kiwi perspective.
Read The New Zealand Herald
26 October 2007
The no pulp mill campaign is bothering the Government. A two-page booklet called "Green mythology" was sent out yesterday to all Government members. Prepared by Minister for Forestry Eric Abetz, it tells MPs how to answer questions about the pulp mill and set voters' straight.
Read The Sydney Morning Herald
25 October 2007
In the RPDC annual report for 2006-07, Chief Simon Cooper, hit back at Government claims that the RPDC took too long to review Gunns’ pulp mill proposal. "Assessments are not conducted for the benefit of individual proponents; they can only, and must, be conducted in accordance with the law (and) the need to afford procedural fairness to all parties involved." Cooper also defended the need for open public hearings.
Read The Mercury
25 October 2007
Failure to set up stand-alone anti-corruption agencies by Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia is "crazy" according to NSW Premier Morris Iemma.
Go to The Australian
24 October 2007
Opinion piece by Craig Mark on Garret, the Greens and the environment
See the New Matilda
23 October 2007
John Gay says construction of the $1.7 billion pulp mill in northern Tasmania should begin in January 2008. "We are currently going through the process of understanding the permits," Mr Gay said. Paul Lennon said the 20-year wood supply deal would not end old growth forest woodchip exports from the state.
Go to The Australian
20 October 2007
Forestry Tasmania will supply 1.5 million tonnes of pulpwood logs each year for 20 years to the pulp mill equal to about half the available timber from state forests. Up to 500 000 tonnes of public old-growth forests would still be exported from the state each year as woodchips, despite construction of the mill. Forestry Tasmania's chief executive, Bob Gordon, said yesterday that Gunns would begin by paying $13.75 a tonne from January 1 for the wood.
Read The Age
14 October 2007 (posted 21 Oct)
Bondi Pavilion Speech by Dr. Thomas Moore - Science Advisor, Surfrider Foundation Australia (Northern Tasmania).
It’s been a long journey. It’s also been a sometimes heartbreaking and life-sucking journey I never intended to take. When Tasmanian members of the Surfrider Foundation Australia began this odyssey, 23 months ago …
Go to Tasmaniantimes.com
19 October 2007
The 20-year wood supply deal agreement is conditional that Gunns start building the mill by June 2008, construction is not allowed to cease for more than six months, and it must become operational by 2010.
See The Australian.
19 October 2007
Sam Thompson, Holger Strie, and Andrew Larner who took their no-pulp mill protest to the top of the Batman Bridge, Tamar River will appear in court next month. The men may be pursued for costs, after Forestry Tasmania filed a claim for $2000 took against "Weld Angel" Allana Beltran, after her protest activities blocked the entrance to the Tahune Airwalk.
Read The Examiner
18 October 2007
Three anti-pulp mill activists were arrested 100 metres above the Tamar River and face having to pay for the cost of their "rescue". The men had been on top of the Batman Bridge A frame for three days. They abseiled down a cable and attached a banner reading "Save our valley 4 the kids". Throughout the day motorists sounded their car horns in support.
Go to The Mercury
18 October 2007
The appeal against the federal assessment of the pulp mill by The Wilderness Society and Investors for the Future of Tasmania is being heard by a full bench in Hobart's Federal Court. The hearing is expected to run until Friday, and a verdict is not expected until November. A win for the society on any ground would likely sink the mill as a new assessment process would have to be developed or the project would have to return to the RPDC process.
Go to The Examiner
17 October 2007
Three pulp mill protesters have set up ‘John Paul camp’ on the very top of the Batman Bridge, Tamar River, and aim to stay there until at least Friday. "We are doing this because people have not been listened to. We are not here for fun. It is something that we had to do for our kids and the future of Tasmania.”
Go to The Mercury
16 October 2007
Turnbull is accused of misleading voters in his MP's newsletter. The Australian Conservation Foundation, the Wilderness Society and the National Toxics Network say the Environment Minister has made statements that are either wrong or misleading or which suggest he has added new conditions to the project.
Read The Australian
16 October 2007
Australia's chief scientist claims dioxin discharge from the Gunns pulp mill will be undetectable and nowhere near 3.4 picograms/litre that triggers a shut down.
Read The Age
15 October 2007
Malcolm Turnbull says environmental standards at the Gunns' pulp mill will be the 'world's best'. He has ruled the mill can produce up to 2 picograms/litre of effluent before it must take action, and 3.4 picograms/litre before it must be shut down.
Specialist in pulp and paper at the Swedish EPA Erik Nystrom, said that the 3.4pg/l dioxin level equaled the amount of dioxin emitted in a whole year by the entire Swedish bleached pulp and paper industry. Swedish mills produce about seven times more bleached pulp than Gunns would produce. "Any Swedish mill that saw such levels would be alarmed and act immediately", he said.
Read The Age
13 October 2007
'World's best practice' label misleading. Turnbull has labelled environmental standards for Gunns pulp mill as "world's best practice". The statement has been attacked as misleading by experts. "He is comparing Tasmania's pulp mill with projects in developing countries and there are mills in Sweden that have higher standards." Story posted 6 October in The Age
13 October 2007
Danielle Ecuyer is planning to run against her former partner in the Sydney seat of Wentworth. Her former boyfriend, Labor candidate George Newhouse, has refused to condemn the mill. He stands to scoop preferences from Green candidates, who are running a campaign against the incumbent, Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Ms Ecuyer recently visited northern Tasmania.
Go to The Australian
12 October 2007
Pulp mill panel named to oversee the crucial environmental impact management plan.
Go to The Australian
11 October 2007
Gunns’ plan to pulp native trees clashes with its investment in plantations, writes Judith Ajani.
Click The Age
11 October 2007
Tasmanians Against the Pulpmill (TAP) and Women for Change Alliance have stepped up pressure on the ANZ Bank -- the potential lead financier of the Gunns Ltd $1.7 billion pulp mill proposed for the Tamar Valley with an ANZ "Sign the Letter" campaign. See The Mercury
10 October 2007
John Gay has the stock market convinced his Tasmanian pulp mill is ready to roll with minimal cost hikes imposed by the federal Government’s environmental conditions. Some in the timber industry are not so sure the mill will go ahead without considerable taxpayer help or, at the very least, some big losses for timber investors. Go to The Australian
10 October 2007
It was not possible for building of the pulp mill to start in a few weeks as claimed by John Gay says Geoffrey Cousins. The Commonwealth report on environmental impact and approval conditions, requires at least three months of data collection. Cousins calls for the apparent discrepancy to be investigated by the ASX and ASIC. See The Mercury
9 October 2007
John Gay said that he expects to start building the pulp mill within weeks, but it will take Gunns 12-18 months to find out exactly what effect effluent from the mill will have on marine life. The chief scientist Dr Jim Peacock said Gunns will be taking a risk if it starts building before it completes new modelling of the effluent to be pumped into Bass Strait. If the marine effluent studies show Gunns can't meet the conditions set down in Peacock’s report, the company will have to modify its mill.
Go to ABC .
9 October 2007
Chief Scientist Dr Jim Peacock said that construction on the pulp mill should not proceed until further environmental analysis is undertaken and accepted by the Minister and Department of Environment and Water Resources.
Go to Tasmaniantimes web log .
9 October 2007
John Gay said the pulp mill will proceed with or without ANZ as the chief financier.
For ANZ, it comes down to how much money they will make, what is the opportunity cost of not doing it and whether there is any brand damage to doing it (banking analyst, JP Morgan).
Go to The Australian .
9 October 2007
The former Liberal Party candidate for the federal seat of Lyons, Ben Quin, has quit the party to run as an anti-pulp mill independent.
Go to ABC .
9 October 2007
Ex Tasmanian premier and Gunns director Robin Gray is a key backer and family friend of the new Liberal candidate Geoff Page in the federal seat of Lyons.
Go to The Age .
9 October 2007
John Howard says there is no reason to rule out accepting donations from Gunns.
Go to ABC .
8 October 2007
More than 3000 people gathered at Low Head northern Tasmania to state their opposition to the approval of the pulp mill.
Go to The Examiner .
8 October 2007
Members of the family who founded the company that became the Gunns timber empire have spoken out for the first time against the controversial pulp-mill proposal.
Read The Mercury .
8 October 2007
Ex Liberal premier and Gunns board member Robin Gray attacks Ben Quin.
Go to The Mercury .
8 October 2007
Leaked Liberal party polling shows approval for the Gunns pulp mill will significantly boost its chances in the state's key seats.
Read The Australian .
8 October 2007
Opinion piece by Glenn Milne on polling, the pulp mill and election prospects.
Go to The Australian .
8 October 2007
Gunns' management of its pulp mill proposal at Bell Bay in Tasmania will be remembered as a textbook case study in how not to do things.
See the The Australian .
7 October 2007
More than 11,000 people in northern Tasmania will form a voters' bloc against candidates who support the Gunns pulp mill at the upcoming local and federal elections. TAP already has 11,000 signatories and is hoping to have 15,000 by the time the federal election is called. Co-ordinator Buck Emberg said that would create chaos at the ballot box. Bass Liberal MHR Michael Ferguson, Labor candidate Jodie Campbell and Launceston Mayor Ivan Dean will be targeted.
See The Mercury .
7 October 2007
Geoffrey Cousins says the ANZ pulp mill assessment will be tougher than that of the state and federal governments and look at all of the environmental and social impacts. If ANZ Bank knocks back funding for the Gunns pulp mill, it could have flow-on effects.
Go to ABC .
6th October 2007
Ben Quin: why I quit. Press Release
I have this morning tendered my resignation as the Liberal Candidate for Lyons to the Tasmanian Division of the Liberal Party. The Party has accepted it.
This decision is based on the approval for the Gunn’s Pulp Mill to be constructed in the Tamar Valley - it is now a matter of both Federal and State Liberal policy. As such, I am no longer able to express contrary opinions whilst I remain the candidate. In this case, my position has become untenable.
I wish to retain the right to speak openly on matters which I believe represent the opinion of the majority of people in the electorate of Lyons. I have been able to discuss this matter with many hundreds whilst campaigning over the past months.
I cannot support the pulp mill project in its current form. There are two main reasons.
The first relates to governance.
The Premier of Tasmania, Mr. Lennon, on Thursday and Friday of this week, started claiming that he has achieved a consensus in favour of the project. This is clearly not true. The majority of people with whom I have spoken in Lyons remain opposed to this development in the Tamar Valley.
There is a deep mistrust of the way in which the Premier has handled the approval process. Many are concerned about the lack of transparency and accountability with which the Lennon State Government conducts its affairs.
This contamination of State process has driven a wedge into the Tasmanian community and it continues to fuel public anger.
Unfortunately, it is now impossible for many people to distinguish between State and Federal responsibility.
With Federal approvals now granted, there is no effective way for the majority to express their opposition. This has become political bullying and represents a fundamental failure of democracy in Tasmania.
I will not stand as a Liberal candidate in support of such circumstances.
The second reason relates to the pulp mill project itself.
For Tasmania’s rural heartland, this Federal election is about climate change, land use and drought.
The Prime Minister has warned that the economic adjustments Australia must make in the coming years are the most significant we have ever attempted. Against this warning, the pulp mill is a bomb for Tasmania.
Its location and scale are wrong. Most significantly, it will cause long term loss of flexibility in the timber industry. Lack of transparency in the wood supply agreements between Forestry Tasmania and Gunns, makes it impossible to determine the extent to which the project is being subsidized and its risk underwritten by the public forests.
This project does not meet future-economic criteria.
The electorate of Lyons, home to many of Tasmania’s farmers and agribusinesses, has a great deal to lose over the next 30 years if we accept the project in its current design, and in the shadow cast by the fast track approval process. It should be rejected.
I will continue to speak out on these matters. Thank you.
Ben Quin
6 October 2007
Liberal candidate, Ben Quin resigns from the party in disgust over the federal government's approval of Tasmania's $1.7 billion pulp mill. There is a fundamental failure of democracy in Tasmania. Go to The Age .
6 October 2007
Federal Liberal candidate Ben Quin has quit the Party in protest over the proposed pulp mill.
Go to ABC .
6 October 2007
Vision Ltd: Turnbull yes to mess for 50 years. Gunns Ltd now has watertight legal standing from the Australian people for 50 years, courtesy of a government and a prime minister so thoroughly on the nose with voters they're headed for imminent electoral defeat, to go on destroying, for the next half century, what remains of Tasmania's magnificent old-growth forests for woodchipping fodder.
Go to the Sydney Morning Herald.
6 October 2007
The ANZ, is considering whether it will fund the Gunns pulp mill, saying it must first assess whether the Tasmanian project meets its own environmental standards.
Go to Sydney Morning Herald .
6 October 2007
Opponents of Tasmania's pulp mill are preparing campaigns to unsettle and unseat pro-mill MPs in key seats and to persuade ANZ Bank not to finance the Gunns project.
Go to The Australian.
6 October 2007
Pulp mill opponents eager to fight on till mill is dead and buried
Go to The Mercury.
5 October 2007
Pulp mill is ‘the next Franklin Dam'. Campaigner Geoffrey Cousins is shifting his focus to ANZ to withold its support
Go to The Australian .
5 October 2007
Mill has green light but there are still buts.
Go to The Mercury.
5 October 2007
Tasmania’s future prosperity lies in preserving its natural advantage rather than consuming it.
Go to The Australian.
5 October 2007
Pulp mill brawl 'just beginning'. Tasmania faces the most divisive environmental battle since the Franklin Dam dispute after Gunns said it would build its $2 billion Tamar Valley pulp mill following approval yesterday from the federal Government.
Go to The Australian .
5 October 2007
The economics of Gunns pulp mill. Delays may have benefited Gunns as pulp price rises.
Go to The Age.
5 October 2007
Pulp mill; another environmental battle that may look lost, for now. At one stage the fight to protect the Franklin River seemed lost, writes Geoffrey Cousins.
Go to The Age.
5 October 2007
The pulp mill could be a problem for a range of politicians.
Go to The Age.
5 October 2007
Four leading scientists pass judgement on the Tasmanian pulp mill decision.
Go to The Age.
4 October 2007
Gunns CEO JohnGay tells opponents of the pulp mill to accept umpires decision.
Go to The Mercury.
4 October 2007
Pulp mill opponents slam Turnbull’s decision
Go to The Age.
4 October 2007
Turnbull gives the go ahead to Gunns’ pulp mill with conditions.
The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull has imposed the world’s toughest environmental conditions on the proposed pulp mill in Tasmania’s Tamar Valley, including independent scientific and environmental monitoring.
“I have accepted the independent, scientific advice of the Chief Scientist and his panel of scientific experts and have released his report, together with my decision today,” Mr Turnbull said.
“In the draft recommendations of my Department released in August, 24 conditions were imposed on the proposed pulp mill.
“In response to Dr Peacock’s advice, the number of conditions has now been doubled to 48.
“Dr Peacock and his panel have reviewed my decision and conditions and have confirmed they reflect the recommendations of the Chief Scientist’s report.
“My decision has been made consistent with my obligations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.”
The Minister’s decision, consistent with Dr Peacock’s recommendations, includes:
* the establishment of an Independent Expert Group, appointed by the Minister and drawn from leading national and international scientists to assist with the design, implementation, monitoring and approval of the pulp mill.
* a requirement that Gunns prepare for the Minister’s approval an integrated Environmental Impact Management Plan, in consultation with the Independent Expert Group, to ensure no adverse impacts on Commonwealth environment matters. Some elements of the plan will be required to be approved before any construction begins and the final plan requires approval before the mill is commissioned.
* the appointment by the Minister of an Independent Site Supervisor to monitor Gunns’ compliance with the conditions. The Independent Site Supervisor will have the full range of powers as an inspector under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to ensure there are no impediments in terms of access to information or locations to the performance as supervisor.
* 16 conditions relating to the management of effluent from the pulp mill, including stringent levels which if exceeded will mean the mill must close until such time as an advanced (tertiary) effluent treatment process that produces high quality water is put in place.
* maximum dioxin levels in the effluent discharged from the mill will be required to be almost four times more stringent than world’s best practice.
* 17 conditions relating to the protection of both listed threatened and migratory species, including measures to protect the Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle, the Tasmanian Devil, fur seals, whales, dolphins and rare native vegetation.
* requirements for around 400 hectares of protected reserve to be set aside for protected plants and animals.
* a requirement for transparent and regular reporting by Gunns of compliance with the conditions, to be independently audited by an auditor agreed to by the Department. This report must be also be made available to the public.
“My decision followed the recommendations of the Chief Scientist’s report and took account of advice from my Department and over 36,000 public submissions received through the three consultation periods over the five month assessment period since April this year,” Mr Turnbull said.
“The Chief Scientist advised me that he and the expert panel of scientists were impressed by the technical and engineering advances that have been made in the design and operation of Elemental Chlorine Free pulp mills. The panel accepted that the proposed mill was likely to conform to world’s best practice, and the panel considered that this was a strong argument that equally high standards should be expected of the interaction of mill operations with the environment.”
In preparing his advice, Dr Peacock, assisted by his panel, reviewed the Department’s August Recommendation Report and many thousands of pages of assessment documentation. They met with key stakeholders and completed an inspection of the proposed site. Dr Peacock and his panel also reviewed submissions made to the Minister during the public comment period that were of a scientific or technical nature.
“I particularly thank Dr Peacock and his panel members, Dr Graeme Batley, Associate Professor Peter Clarke, Dr Mike Herzfeld, Professor Helene Marsh, Professor Hamish McCallum and Dr John Parlsow, for providing comprehensive and independent advice to inform my decision,” Mr Turnbull said.
“I would also like to thank the many individuals and organisations who provided valuable input through the public comment periods during the Australian Government assessment process.”
Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the Australian Government is to consider whether a proposed development will have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance, which in relation to this project, are listed threatened species, migratory species and the Commonwealth marine area.
Source www.malcolmturnbull.com.au. More information on the Chief Scientist’s report, panel and Terms of Reference is also available at Federal Department of Environment and Water Resources.
4 October 2007
Federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced Gunns' pulp mill project for northern Tasmania will go ahead. An extra 24 conditions will be imposed.
Greens Leader Bob Brown has condemned the decision to approve the mill, saying it is not world's best practice. Wilderness Society spokesman Geoff Law says the conditions imposed on the mill will not do anything to protect trees.
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry spokesman Damon Thomas says the key now is whether Gunns can meet the extra conditions. Mr Thomas said it was time for the Tasmanian community to reconcile and look ahead beyond the development.
Go to ABC.
3 October 2007
If Malcolm Turnbull approves the pulp mill this week, federal Labor will win the two key Tasmanian seats of Bass and Braddon at this year's federal election. But if Mr Turnbull stops the pulp mill from being built, the Liberal Government could retain at least the key marginal electorate of Bass according to a new poll.
Go to The Mercury.
3 October 2007
Herbicides 'oust' and 'glysophosphate' sprayed on a Gunns forest plantation site apparently washed on to adjoining pasture and into a large dam and creeks at Western plains, Meander catchment. Rod Hutchins of the Meander Valley Action Group said it was one of about eight examples of herbicide spray from forestry plantations affecting neighbouring properties in the state's north and east in the past six months.
Go to The Australian .
02 October 2007
CEO of Gunns, John Gay has warned the Federal Government not to impose new restrictions or changes on the pulp mill.
Go to The Mercury.
1 October 2007
Former Howard government adviser Geoff Cousins claimed approving the Gunns Tamar Valley pulp mill in a bid to secure Tasmanian votes would be "an act of political corruption".
Go to The Australian.
1 October 2007
If federal conditions imposed by Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull are not fatal to Gunns proposed pulp mill, work at the site on the Tamar River could start almost immediately. It is likely to become the biggest focal point for mass protest in Tasmania since the Franklin Dam protests of 1982-83.
Go to The Australian.
Related pages
Gunns Tamar valley pulp mill, key issues
