Environment
Comment: Watchdog’s wise words
Sue Neales
The CCC’s ongoing inquiry would also seem to have particular relevance as the furore involving the fast-track parliamentary approval process for the $1.5 billion Gunns pulp mill gathers pace in Tasmania. The presence of former MLC Tony Fletcher within the secure corridors and private rooms of Parliament House, while acting as lobbyist for Gunns , has already raised the ire of many Tasmanians. Legislative Council President Don Wing confirmed this week that he had grave concerns about the way Mr Fletcher’s privileged access to Parliament allowed him to exert pressure on MLCs. He acknowledged that he had walked out of one private meeting with some of his fellow independents when possible amendments to the controversial Pulp Mill Assessment Bill were being discussed, after Mr Fletcher “arrived and sat down uninvited”.
Wayne Crawford
IT’S been nothing short of callous that a family should be left for nearly three years in a bureaucratic black hole.