Mercury
ABOUT 4500 forestry workers and industry supporters dressed in bright oranges safety vests have gathered in Launceston for a rally in support of the proposed $1.7 billion Gunns pulp mill in the Tamar Valley. Premier Paul Lennon and Liberal leader Will Hodgman both spoke to the crowd at Royal Park in support of the contentious mill, before leaving for a mass march through Launceston’s city streets. Terry Edwards, chief executive of the Forest Industries Association of Tasmania and businessman Michael Kent, chairman of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry also gave speeches.
Meanwhile … Paul Oosting, Press Release
MEDIA RELEASE 30 March 2007
OVER 500 ATTEND CLEAN GREEN ECONOMY EXPO
Businesses stand up against the pulp mill’s threat to
Tasmania’s economic future
Over 500 people passed through the Clean Green Economy Expo in Launceston’s Albert Hall today, where over 30 businesses displayed their wares. Wilderness Society campaigner Paul Oosting said that the expo presented a positive vision of the way in which Tasmania’s economy can flourish if it is not weighed down by the proposed pulp mill.
“Today’s expo provided a sharp counterpoint to the pro-pulpmill rally organised by the CFMEU with its paid attendees. The expo showed that the pulp mill debate is not so much about jobs versus the environment, but about large-scale polluting resource industries versus Tasmania’s new economy.
“The Wilderness Society had a very strong and positive response from all the stallholders and members of the public who felt empowered to take on the pro-pulpmill juggernaut that is rolling over the top of Tasmania.
“The people at the Clean Green Economy Expo were enthusiastic to see such a diversity of businesses standing up for Tasmania’s clean green future against the pulp mill,” concluded Mr Oosting.
Businesses represented included Archers Beef and agriculture; QuentinWolfhagen Furniture; John Hammond Scallops; Delamere Vineyard; Lentara Olives; Tasmania’s Choice – Unique Honey, Beers Wine and Spirits; Three Wishes Vineyard; Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm; Floral Ridge Arabians; Axiom Furniture; Somerset Cottages; Maluna Malaka Organic Walnuts; Tasmanian Expeditions; Daniel Alps at Strathlynn; Marions Vineyard; Lavender House and other Rowella businesses; Fresh Café; Local Focus; Mountain Designs; Indeco Design; Tasmanian Honey Company; Oriel Studio; Australian Tree Services; Great Western Tiers Forest Walks; Wild Cave Tours; Robert McMcMahon Rock Climbing School; Schwaben Forest; and Timberworkers for Forests Inc
