[Greens-Media] Senator Milne: Turnbull must conduct rigorous assessment of Gunns' proposed Tasmanian mill

[O'Connor, Cassy (Sen C. Milne)]

		Tuesday, 5 June 2007

		Turnbull must conduct rigorous assessment of Gunns'
proposed Tasmanian mill

		With submissions on the proposed Tamar Valley pulp mill
in Tasmania closing today, and new evidence of significant omissions and
flaws in the information provided by the proponent, Federal Environment
Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has no choice but to conduct a rigorous
environmental impact assessment, Australian Greens' Senator Christine
Milne said today.

		"The assessment process has devolved into a farce.  

		"In light of the shoddy Impact Assessment that Gunns has
submitted to the Commonwealth, and credible claims that dioxin
concentration potential in Bass Strait has been massively
underestimated, there is no way a responsible Minister for the
Environment could avoid conducting the most rigorous assessment, and
allow for public hearings.

		"The Tasmanian people and the Commonwealth have been
conned by Gunns' claims that it pulled out of the bilateral assessment
process in March because of unacceptable delays.

		"It has today been made clear from information obtained
by the Tasmanian Greens under Freedom of Information that Gunns never
intended to see through the RPDC assessment process.  Indeed, it caused
every delay in that process.

		"The proponent is also attempting to pressure the
Commonwealth, and Tasmanian Parliamentarians who will vote on the
fast-track State approvals' process, by saying construction must start
on 1st September or the company will lose around a million dollars a day
thereafter.

		"The decision to book and begin to finance the
commencement of construction before the assessment is finalised smacks
of an arrogant assumption that both the State and the Commonwealth will
approve the mill.  The financial cost of any delay should be of no
concern to anyone but Gunns.

		"I am certain Minister Turnbull would not want a poorly
assessed, highly toxic Kraft bleaching pulp mill approved for Tasmania's
unspoiled Tamar Valley as his legacy.

		"In this election year, concerned Tasmanians and
Australians will be watching with great interest how the Federal
Government meets its responsibility for environmental protection under
the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act
1999," Senator Milne said.



		Media contacts:  Cassy O'Connor 03 6224 8899 or Tim
Hollo 0437 587 562 



Cassy O'Connor
Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
www.christinemilne.org.au

Email:  cassy.o'connor at aph.gov.au
(Ph)  03 6224 8899  
(Fax) 03 6224 7599