Reject this, Malcolm Turnbull

Vica Bayley Press Release

“The colossal appetite and effluents of this pulp mill will devastate our forests and pollute the Tamar valley’s air with odours and fine particles,” said Mr Law.

WELL over 3000 packed out the Albert Hall and spilled into the streets of Launceston in a huge show of strength against Gunns’ proposed pulp mill today (Sunday).

The rally, organised by the Wilderness Society, was held at the same venue, in the marginal electorate of Bass, where loggers applauded the Prime Minister just before the last federal election.

“The message to Federal Environment Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, is that Bass does not want this pulp mill,” said Wilderness Society campaigner, Geoff Law.

“People were angry that the Lennon Government has by-passed the state’s planning laws to fast-track this pulp mill, which will devastate Tasmania’s forests and pollute the Tamar Valley.”

The crowd heard from novelist Richard Flanagan, gardening guru Peter Cundall, Peter Whish-Wilson from the Surfrider Foundation, fisherman John Shea, farmer John Hawkins, former Launceston mayor Janie Finlay, Aboriginal elder Gloria Andrews and Dr Frank Nicklason. All condemned the way in which the pulp mill is being progressed — by way of a special deal for Gunns which allows the proposed pulp mill to by-pass the independent umpire.

People chanted ‘no pulp mill’ in a message to both Mr Turnbull and to Federal Opposition Leader, Kevin Rudd.

The rally was organised at short notice as a protest against the special deal for Gunns and against the pulp mill itself.

“The colossal appetite and effluents of this pulp mill will devastate our forests and pollute the Tamar valley’s air with odours and fine particles,” said Mr Law.

“The Lennon Government’s fast-track assessment of the pulp mill is narrow, flawed and not independent. Mr Turnbull has obligations under legislation to ensure that the pulp mill does not damage the environment and he should give the mill the thumbs down.”

Speakers: Richard Flanagan, Peter Cundall, Peter Whish-Wilson (Surfrider Foundation), Janie Finlay (Former Launceston Mayor), Dr Frank Nicklason, Jim Shea (Fisherman), John Hawkins (Farmer), Gloria Andrews (Aboriginal Elder), Geoff Law.

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