[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Repeal Pulp Mill Bill To Be Voted On_K Booth MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

VOTE TO REPEAL PULP MILL ACT IS A VOTE TO RESTORE DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS &
TAMAR VALLEY CONFIDENCE

Greens To Bring On Pulp Mill Repeal Bill Debate this Wednesday

Kim Booth MP
Greens shadow Pulp Mill spokesperson

Sunday, 24 August 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today announced that they intend to bring on for
debate their Pulp Mill Assessment Repeal Bill 2008, when Parliament
resumes in Launceston this week.

Greens Shadow Pulp Mill spokesperson and Member for Bass Kim Booth MP
said that a year on from Gunns pulling out of the RPDC process, and
then-Premier Paul Lennon ramming through the Pulp Mill Assessment Act on
the grounds that it was a matter of urgency for the project to be able
to commence, the lack of progress since has exposed that excuse as a
sham foisted upon the Parliament and the public.

Mr Booth also said that the Greens' Bill repeals the controversial Paul
Lennon-driven Pulp Mill Assessment Act 2007, revokes the Pulp Mill
Permit established under that Act, and also nullifies any approvals that
may have been granted so far.

The Greens will bring their Repeal Bill on for debate during their
Private Members Time on Wednesday the 27th of August which begins at
3:45 pm with the vote to be taken at 4:30pm.

"The Greens' Pulp Mill Assessment Repeal Bill seeks to remove the blot
upon our democratic processes that is the government's anti-democratic
Pulp Mill Act, and also remove the threat to the Tamar Valley that is
posed by the polluting Gunns' pulp mill proposal," Mr Booth said.

"The previous Premier, Paul Lennon, recalled Parliament, on behalf of
his Gunns mates, to ram through this appalling piece of legislation last
year on the grounds that any further delay would prevent the project
from commencing, yet a year later with Gunns expected to not meet the
Federal assessment deadlines, this sham of an excuse that was used to
trammel good Parliamentary process has been exposed."

"It is now time to do something to right this wrong, to show that
Parliament is not a mere rubber stamp for the powerful, and to repeal
this appalling piece of legislation that exemplifies all that the public
despises about Lennon Labor."

"The undemocratic nature of the Pulp Mill Assessment Act is under the
spotlight with recent court action being undertaken by members of the
public against Section 11 of the Act, which seeks to prevent any legal
or appeal action being taken by those affected by the mill or its permit
provisions."

"The Greens' Repeal Bill will provide both Labor and Liberal with the
opportunity to take a deep breath, do the moral and courageous thing,
and clear the slate of this blight on Tasmania's democracy and the Tamar
Valley."

"Premier Bartlett states that he wishes to restore the people's faith in
our democratic system, well here is his chance to act instead of just
spouting rhetoric."

"To vote to repeal this despicable Act is a vote to restore the
community's democratic right to appeal, and it is also a vote to restore
the confidence of the Tamar Valley, which is currently experiencing a
debilitating economic standstill due to the shadow of the proposed
mill."

"I urge all Tasmanians who disagree with the Gunns' pulp mill proposal
to lobby their Member of Parliament to vote in support of repealing this
unpopular Lennon-driven lemon, and to also come along to witness the
debate at 3:45 this Wednesday afternoon," Mr Booth said.

Mr Booth explained that since the Lennon Pulp Mill Assessment Act
established the Pulp Mill Permit as a separate process, it is
insufficient merely to repeal the Act itself, so the Pulp Mill Permit
and all provisions relating to it also need to be revoked specifically.



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