pulp mill

This summary was released on 16 June 2008 by Lawyers for Forests as general information for the public. It does not constitute legal opinion or a view as to the merits of the case. The trial started on 18 June before Justice Tracey in the Federal Court in Melbourne. For further information, go to www.lawyersforforest.asn.au

Section 11 of the Pulp Mill Assessment Act (PMAA) 2007
Section 11 says no one is entitled to appeal for compensation from damages to their business, property values or health caused by Gunns’ planned pulp mill. The legislation deliberately and thoroughly attempts to remove any opportunity for people to seek redress if they are adversely affected in any way. Section 11 is deliberately designed to prevent access to the court system by the people. Parliament has used its power to weaken the democratic rights of Tasmanians.

TAP congratulates the ANZ Bank on its principled decision not to approve funding for Gunns' planned pulp mill in the Tamar Valley. Its decision positions the bank as a leader in Australian banking.

 Last year, ANZ said it would apply social and environmental tests to Gunns' proposal as per the Equator Principles.

 ANZ's decision recognises the high unexamined social and environmental costs associated with Gunns' proposal.  

An analysis of the strategic planning environment for the planned pulp mill was presented to TAP members in early May 2008. Presenter was Mike Bolan.

Its purpose was to inform planning and decisions about where to focus efforts.

Some slides from that presentation are shown below to give a whole of system perspective . It follows on from a workshop that identified the needs of community members of TAP who live in the affected area of the Tamar Valley and northern Tasmania.

Mr Gerard Brown
ANZ Group Headquarters
100 Queen St Melbourne Vic 3000
gerard.brown@anz.com   

Dear Sir

We wish to draw attention to the impacts on threatened species from Gunns Ltd’s proposed Long Reach pulp mill in northern Tasmania and the role of ANZ as prospective principal banker.

We and the general public understand that the ANZ has serious obligations under the Equator Principles to examine the environmental aspects of the pulp mill project and the pipeline route.

This paper is an attempt to identify and quantify the subsidies paid to Gunns and the logging industry in Tasmania. Drawing upon broad community input via the online newspaper www.tasmaniantimes.com , it was compiled by Andrew Bent  and edited by TAP.

Summary of findings

1. Taxpayer funding diverted to support pulp mill and logging

Report by prepared by Naomi Edwards April 2008.

Main points:

Report prepared by TAP, 2007.

Gunns Ltd and the Tasmanian Government both trumpet the economic benefits of an anticipated $6.7 billion boost to the state economy with 1617 new jobs from construction and 292 jobs long term.

9 November 2007 EMRS poll on voter intentions
A poll of voter intentions for the federal election in the seat of Lyons was conducted by EMRS. Question: For which candidate would you vote in the November 24 federal election? Results:

• Adams (ALP) 46%
• Page (Lib) 29%
• Cassidy (Greens) 13%
• Quin (Independent) 8%
• Unsure 5%

Number of voters surveyed 400
Source: Ben Quin, http://www.benquin.com.au/