[Greens-Media] Milne calls for investigation into CFMEU Forestry / Gunns relationship

[Hollo, Tim (Sen C. Milne)]

Milne calls for investigation into CFMEU Forestry / Gunns relationship

Hobart, Thursday July 26, 2007  Australian Greens Senator for Tasmania,
Christine Milne, today called for a full investigation into the
financial and other relationships between the CFMEU Forestry division
and Gunns.

"Tasmanians want a Royal Commission into the forest industry in
Tasmania. An investigation into the relationship between the Forestry
Division of the CFMEU and Gunns would be a good place to start."

"There are long-standing allegations of financial and in-kind support
from Gunns to the CFMEU forestry division, some of which were aired on
ABC radio this morning.

"The books of the Forestry Division of the CFMEU need to be opened. How
many members does it have in Tasmania? It registered 755 with the
Australian Industrial Relations Commission in 2005 yet John Sutton in an
affidavit related to the current federal court action regarding the pulp
mill gave a figure of 1100. Which is correct? It is not credible that
when more than 300 jobs have been lost in the industry in Tasmania over
the past few years that the union membership has risen by 46%.  What
does that mean for voting in preselection. Has John Sutton been misled?

"Allegations from within the union involving the channelling of funds
from Gunns via NAFI to assist the CFMEU pay the debts it incurred in
legal fight against environmentalists following unlawful imprisonment in
the Otways must be investigated. The public needs to know how much money
went to the Forestry Division in Victoria controlled by O'Connor?."

"Such is the conflict of interest that the question has to be asked: is
the CFMEU Forestry Division the forestry arm of the union movement, or
is it the union arm of the forestry industry?

"The key role that the CFMEU Forestry Division and its leaders, Michael
O'Connor and Scott McLean, are playing in supporting Gunn's pulp mill
and in this year's federal election demands that this relationship be
fully and publicly examined.

"O'Connor, in particular, appears to be playing a dangerous double game,
being close to both Labor and Liberals, and McLean already threatened to
disaffiliate his union from the Labor Party  during the last Tasmanian
election if it did not ensure that the forestry industry got what it
wanted.

"All voters who want to see Tasmania's forests protected have a right to
know what is going on between the CFMEU and Gunns before they cast their
votes in the looming election."

Contact Tim Hollo on 0437 587 562


Tim Hollo
Media and Communications Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Phone: + 61 (0) 2 6277 3063
Mobile: + 61 (0) 437 587 562
Email: tim.hollo at aph.gov.au
Skype: timhollo
Website: www.christinemilne.org.au