[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Pulp Mill 'Line in the Sand' Countdown - 18 Days to Go_K Booth MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

PULP MILL COUNTDOWN-18 DAYS TO GO
 
Will Government Support Continue Through Wood Supply Agreement?

Kim Booth MP
Greens Shadow Pulp Mill spokesperson

Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today marked the countdown to the Premier's
promised 'line in the sand' over government support being withdrawn from
the controversial Gunns' pulp mill proposal, drawing attention to the
fact that there are only 18 days left to pulp mill D-Day of the 30th of
November.

Greens Shadow Pulp Mill spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that David
Bartlett only had 18 days left to direct Forestry Tasmania to terminate
the pulp mill wood supply agreement, which is the crucial test as to
whether the Bartlett government would continue to provide support to the
proponent beyond the end of this month.

"The countdown to the Premier's deadline of November 30th is underway
with only 18 days to go until the Tasmanian public will see whether the
loudly proclaimed  'line in the sand' holds or whether it will be
trampled upon by the pulp mill wood supply agreement," Mr Booth said.

"If the wood supply agreement, is not terminated by November the 30th,
then make no mistake about it, government support for the pulp mill is
continuing and Premier Bartlett has broken his promise."

"For some arrogant reason, Mr Bartlett is determined to try and con the
Tasmanian public into thinking that Forestry Tasmania, which is a
Government Business Enterprise, somehow does not have to abide by
government policy of the day, which is a nonsense."


"Forestry Tasmania is responsible to government, hence we will be
examining them through the Government Business Enterprise scrutiny
committee hearings next month."

"The Premier can ensure that Forestry Tasmania is directed to terminate
the wood supply agreement, but he  has only 18 days to do so if his
rhetoric is going to hold water," Mr Booth said.

Text of Motion Tabled Today by Mr Booth MP

That the House:

1. Notes that there is an 18 day countdown to the 30th of November 2008
date identified by Premier Bartlett as the date by which all government
support for the Gunns' pulp mill proposal will be withdrawn;

2. Notes that this means that the Premier has 18 days within which to
direct Forestry Tasmania to terminate the critical pulp mill wood supply
agreement; and further

3. Calls on Premier Bartlett to honour his pulp mill 'line in the sand'
promise instead of indulging in smoke and mirrors to make it appear like
government support has been withdrawn which is not the case while the
wood supply agreement remains in place.




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