Bartlett congratulated on pulp mill stance

Geoff Law Mr Law said that the state government has held the line in the sand with respect to the pipeline and the sovereign-risk deal, but in order to meet the Premier’s ‘no government involvement after 30 November’ pledge, the government must also: Instruct Forestry Tasmania to terminate its wood-supply deal for the pulp mill; Cancel permits that allow the mill to discharge effluents and emissions into the environment.
BARTLETT CONGRATULATED ON STANCE AGAINST PULP-MILL PIPELINE

MEDIA RELEASE 25 November 2008

The Wilderness Society today congratulated Premier David Bartlett on his commitment not to compulsorily acquire land to allow the pipeline for Gunns’ proposed pulp mill.

“Mr Bartlett’s very welcome commitment is consistent with his line in the sand ruling out future government involvement in the proposed pulp mill,” said Geoff Law, Campaign Coordinator for the Wilderness Society.

A month ago, the West Tamar refused Gunns access to council land for the pipeline and last week said it would not re-visit the issue. Other landowners have also refused Gunns access.

Without the pipeline, the pulp mill cannot go ahead.

Mr Law said that the state government has held the line in the sand with respect to the pipeline and the sovereign-risk deal, but in order to meet the Premier’s ‘no government involvement after 30 November’ pledge, the government must also:

Instruct Forestry Tasmania to terminate its wood-supply deal for the pulp mill;
Cancel permits that allow the mill to discharge effluents and emissions into the environment.