ABC Online
Premier David Bartlett and analysts say the state’s economy is not reliant on the pulp mill, but the forestry industry is not convinced, saying Tasmania needs the mill. The debate comes as former premier Paul Lennon, who has been one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the mill, now says the project appears dead. Mr Lennon said today the global financial crisis is making it hard for Gunns to borrow the money it needs to build the pulp mill, and it may never be built. “I was doing everything I could to keep Gunns in the process … everything that I have done in this regard [is] to try and keep this project alive,” he said. “Unfortunately it appears at the moment that the project may not be alive; certainly it’s been shelved for a period of time.” Gunns has rejected Mr Lennon’s concerns, saying it will start building the mill as soon as it gets finance, but the company can not say when it will get the money. He told the Parliamentary Committee Tasmania’s economy needs the pulp mill. “The Tasmanian economy is heading into dangerous waters without a pulp mill,” he said. “I just hope that those people like yourself, if opposed to the mill, can now find the alternate employment opportunities that we’re going to so desperately need in our state.” Read more here
