[Greens-Media] Time for Governments to draw line under Pulp Mill saga

[Hollo, Tim (Sen C. Milne)]

Time for Governments to draw line under Pulp Mill saga; Time for
Tasmania to move on

Canberra, Friday 29 August 2008  Australian Greens Senator Christine
Milne today called on Federal Minister Peter Garrett to draw the same
line under the Pulp Mill that Premier David Bartlett has promised, and
to help Tasmania regain its global edge as a clean, green and clever
state.

Senator Milne said, "Gunns has made fools of a succession of State and
Federal Governments. It has toyed with the Tasmanian community and the
integrity of our democracy. It's time for the umbilical cord of funding
and favours to be cut.

"October the 4th is the deadline for the Pulp Mill's Environmental
Impact Management Plan to be completed. It is clear that the modules
submitted to date are grossly inadequate and cannot be approved.

"Minister Garrett must refuse any extension of the deadline and inform
Gunns that he will not transfer any approvals that have been given to
Gunns to a new joint venture.

"John Gay threw down the gauntlet when he threatened that, unless both
governments gave full approval by 31 July 2007, the mill would not
proceed. Both governments rolled over and compromised the assessment
processes accordingly.

"13 months later, Gunns says it still doesn't have the money to build
the mill and the evidence to support its claims regarding environmental
compliance is still totally inadequate.

"Prime Minister Rudd and Minister Garrett now have a fantastic
opportunity to work with Premier David Bartlett to protect Tasmania's
native forests as carbon stores and for Tasmania to be front and centre
of the Australian effort to make 40% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by
2020.

"No-one should underestimate the enormous boost to Tasmania's global
reputation, jobs and skills-base from becoming a leader in reduced
emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD), putting our State
at the cutting edge of climate solutions.

"Prime Minister Rudd and Premier Bartlett have this one window of
opportunity to restore public faith in our democracy and to bring
Tasmanians together around a positive vision for the future."


Tim Hollo
Media and Communications Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
+61 (0)2 6277 3063
+61 (0) 437 587 562
www.christinemilne.org.au

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