ABC Stateline
DR BRUCE DAVIS: The thing that sticks out to me a mile is that neither the State or Federal Government are prepared to let RPDC look at the overall long-term impact of the project on Tasmania’s forests and economy. So in that sense, the scene has been nobbled a bit before it even got going.
I think it’s reached the stage where we need a fully independent inquiry and that would have to take the form of a royal commission, otherwise we just wouldn’t get to the scene.
RACHEL FISHER: New Federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull would also have to tick off on any approval for the mill. Locally based Federal Forestry Minister, Eric Abetz has reiterated his expectation the Government should adhere to the process and wouldn’t be drawn on any possible parliamentary manoeuvrings. In an election year and with the Launceston-based seat of Bass always up for grabs, the Federal Government’s decision will be made with an eye on the politics. As much as Dr Davis believes the Government should abide by the RPDC’s decision, he’s been concerned about the process from the start.
DR BRUCE DAVIS: The thing that sticks out to me a mile is that neither the State or Federal Government are prepared to let RPDC look at the overall long-term impact of the project on Tasmania’s forests and economy. So in that sense, the scene has been nobbled a bit before it even got going.
RACHEL FISHER: Years on from the Wesley Vale pulp mill debate and Gunns proposal swamped in controversy too, Dr Davis says it’s time for a full inquiry in to the State’s forest industry.
DR BRUCE DAVIS: I think it’s reached the stage where we need a fully independent inquiry and that would have to take the form of a royal commission, otherwise we just wouldn’t get to the scene.
RACHEL FISHER: But the only inquiry in town at the moment is the RPDC’s. Both Paul Lennon and John Gay have made it clear they want a decision by the end of June. That process remains stalled until Gunns hands over additional information requested from the panel.
And a little history …
JUDY TIERNEY: Will the Government make this project a project of State significance to knock out any sort of critical evidence against it?
PAUL LENNON: What do you mean, “knock out critical evidence against it?”
I mean the planning laws that operate in Tasmania are very advanced laws.
They are the same ones we used for the Basslink project.
Now, I don’t know of a more transparent planning and approval process than the planning and approval process for Basslink.
I mean everyone had their say.
The planning and process seemed to go on forever.
JUDY TIERNEY: So would it be a project of State significance?
PAUL LENNON: Well, most likely.
I mean, it’s is a very big project to do a pulp mill.
JUDY TIERNEY: I must say, I see a bit of an irony here.
The Labor Government will be handing Robin Gray, as a director of Gunns, to get what he has always wanted.
PAUL LENNON: That is assuming Gunns put in a proposal, Judy.
Let’s get not get ahead of ourselves.
What we are trying to do here is get the guidelines in shape.
JUDY TIERNEY: Oh come on, John Gay went to Europe with you.
It looks like a fait accompli on the surface, doesn’t it?
PAUL LENNON: Well, I mean, what are supposed to do here?
Let’s get the guidelines in shape.
I wanted Gunns to understand very clearly what the technology was that was around in Europe and Scandinavia, what best practice is in today’s terms so that no-one could be under any mistake about what the expectations of this Government are when it comes to value-adding.
We don’t want second-best.
If you want to value-add our timber here under this Government you will do it in a way that meets best practice.
