The numbers game

Turnoff Thetelly

The only significant matter about this sorry turnout was that the leaders of both major parties turned up to show their support for the mill – just as they are about to “debate” and “decide” the matter in the parliament of the people!

Between 10 and 11 thousand people turned up in their OWN time – not on the boss’ PAID time – at the recent anti mill rally and the number was verified by the police. Did the Mercury add an extra zero to the attendance figure i.e. 500 became 5000 at the pro mill rally? Shouldn’t pictures supporting a story be an indicator of the truth?

Look at a photo of the turnup for the pro pulp mill rally from a different source:
http://tasmaniaforums.com
Current events in Tasmania
Re: Pro Pulp Mill Rally by Pickles

“Strong support for mill” cried the Mercury headline, followed by: “The forestry industry turned out in a significant show of support in Launceston yesterday for development of a pulp mill.” Note the wishy washy word “significant” – it could mean anything in the context in which it is used.

The only significant matter about this sorry turnout was that the leaders of both major parties turned up to show their support for the mill – just as they are about to “debate” and “decide” the matter in the parliament of the people!

Was the Mercury 2-page spread about the rally an advertorial for the LibLabs? The Mercury often ‘picks a winner’ just before an election – that’s how we got hot tub man. Doesn’t seem to matter which half of the LibLabs govern – just keep the Greens out!

Underlining the LibLab’s disgraceful assault on democracy and proper process is the photo of the log truck on the wrong side of the road that appeared in the Mercury this week – a chilling indicator of the road carnage that this act could (and will) lead to.

According to the story, the Infrastructure Minister Jim Cox is supposed to have said on ABC Radio “it is recognised that due to the topography of the state, heavy vehicles may use more of the road than line markings allow for”.
http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,22103923-3462,00.html

What a pity that he didn’t take the bribe and go out the door permanently way back when!

The dangerous situation on our roads caused by log trucks is another reason for tourists to stay away – one expects to be able to drive in safe conditions when meandering about the State, and not become the filling in a twisted metal sandwich.

Meanwhile, elsewhere:

Community Reclaims Forest as Loggers Rally

Members of the Huon Valley community today entered threatened forests in Tasmania’s South for a bushwalk, as pro-logging interests rallied in the north of the state.

“Members of the community have celebrated the forests without log trucks and wildlife habitat destruction in a show of community concern over the negative impact of Gunns’ proposed pulp and chemical mill,” said Huon Valley Environment Centre spokesperson Jenny Weber.

“Spectacular forest ecosystems filter our water, clean our air and store vast amounts of carbon,” Jenny Weber said

“These publicly owned natural assets belong to all Tasmanians and must not be destroyed for a quick buck,” Jenny Weber said.