A democracy of four

Joan Dehle-Emberg

Nor was the preliminary hearing ‘people friendly’. Most of the 60 — 70 observers had trouble hearing proceedings. First, the microphones did not work. Second, the legal representatives had their backs turned. Third, Mr Green, and others, continued to speak softly. Fourth, there were not enough chairs. As the public had been invited, more thought should have been given to the needs of the people … It was a hearing, not a tribunal!

IN case of a deadlocked decision on Gunn’s proposed pulp mill, how will a panel of four men unlock a possible impasse without a fifth member?

Someone on the RPDC must have enough power to force a final decision. Who is that person … Chairman Green or one of the other three? A decision made by a boy’s club of four MEN on an issue vital to Tasmania is undemocratic!

Nor was the preliminary hearing ‘people friendly’. Most of the 60 — 70 observers had trouble hearing proceedings. First, the microphones did not work. Second, the legal representatives had their backs turned. Third, Mr Green, and others, continued to speak softly. Fourth, there were not enough chairs. As the public had been invited, more thought should have been given to the needs of the people … It was a hearing, not a tribunal!

Gunns’ legal representative, Jeremy Gobbo, admitted a number of ‘substantial flaws’ in Gunns’ IIS. Good admission … a 45-fold flaw in the level of dioxins is certainly ‘substantial’! However, Mr Gobbo was not sure whether these ‘substantial flaws’ could be rectified in one page or 100. How can Mr Green seriously suggest ‘substantial flaws’ can be fixed in just a few pages? Compared to the 7,500 pages of Gunns’ original IIS, one hundred pages are minute, Mr Gobbo.

Further, Mr Gobbo believes it unnecessary to produce a completely revamped IIS. Instead, he wants to make the corrections in the form of footnotes and reports. With modern technology, it is not unreasonable to expect Gunns to present an entirely new document. The ‘substantial flaws’ were made by Gunns, so Gunns should go back to the drawing board. They made the problem. They should fix it.

On the grounds of a second directions hearing ‘not too far into the New Year’, Mr Gobbo said Gunns is able to provide a block of corrections before Christmas. Good joke, Mr Gobbo. Other legal representatives can work over Christmas New Year … not you! Others don’t mind!

Of course Gunns wants a quick resolution to the pulp mill. Of course Gunns wants an outcome to suit itself. Of course Gunns wants to bulldoze its way through. However, the people are not a plantation, Mr Gobbo …

The people are a democracy; and we are not fools. Pull the wood over someone else!