[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE - SENATOR CHRISTINE MILNE - Huge pulp mill rally puts Howard on notice in Bass

[Willis, Katrina (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Saturday, 16 September 2006

Huge pulp mill rally puts Howard on notice in Bass

Not since the days of the Wesley Vale pulp mill has rural Tasmania
rallied against a project in the way that people took to the streets in
Launceston today, Australian Greens Senator for Tasmania Christine Milne
said.

"Just as the community rallied in support of the Wesley Vale farmers
they are now rallying in support of rural communities where wholesale
destruction of native forests is occurring and plantations are driving
families off the land," Senator Milne said after addressing the rally.

"The people of the Tamar Valley do not want the air pollution that will
emanate from the mill and I challenge the federal and state governments
to explain why pulp mill missions have been exempted from Tasmania's
clean air legislation and national standards have been weakened three
times over to accommodate the pollution.

"With Australia expecting an horrendous drought this summer, with lower
than average spring rains forecast and higher than average temperatures
what fool would direct 26 billion litres of water a year to a pulp mill
and then as pollution into Bass Strait?

"Prime Minister John Howard received a hostile reception when he went to
Braddon recently because he has been putting the interests of rich city
investors keen to minimise their tax ahead of local farmers.

"His reception is likely to be even worse in Bass as opposition to the
pulp mill grows. 

"The strong turn out today should signal to Prime Minister Howard that
taxpayers do not want their dollars directed as subsides to Gunns."


Contact: Katrina Willis 0437 587 562

Katrina Willis
Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Phone 03 6234 4566
Fax 03 6234 2144
Mobile 0437 587 562
www.christinemilne.org.au