Kim Booth Greens MR
The Tasmanian Greens today questioned whether Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett lied to the Tasmanian people about strengthening the penalty for any effluent breaches at Gunns’ proposed pulp mill, after Federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull revealed that Minister Garrett had in fact downgraded the maximum penalty from a mill shutdown to a financial fine.
TURNBULL CONFIRMS FEARS THAT MILL CANNOT BE SHUTDOWN
… As Brer Garrett Throws Gunns Into Briar Patch of Own Choice
Kim Booth MP
Acting Greens Leader
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today questioned whether Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett lied to the Tasmanian people about strengthening the penalty for any effluent breaches at Gunns’ proposed pulp mill, after Federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull revealed that Minister Garrett had in fact downgraded the maximum penalty from a mill shutdown to a financial fine.
Acting Greens Leader Kim Booth said that, just like Brer Rabbit, Gunns had requested a change to the penalty regime and silly old Brer Garrett had fallen for it, effectively throwing Gunns into the briar patch of their own choice.
Mr Booth also expressed grave fears for Tasmania’s fishing industry which relies on the clean and green brand to market fish overseas, and which will be severely harmed by ongoing marine pollution from Gunns’ proposed mill.
“Minister Garrett falsely claimed last week to have strengthened the penalty regime for effluent breaches at Gunns’ request, but it is now obvious that he has actually downgraded the maximum penalty applicable and then misled Tasmanians about his actions,” said Mr Booth.
“Just like the stupid Brer Fox and Brer Bear, Brer Garrett has heard Gunns’ pleas about penalties for breaching effluent guidelines, and then given them exactly what they wanted by removing the government’s ability to shutdown the mill if marine pollution breaches acceptable guidelines.”
“It now appears that Gunns and Garrett have conspired to remove the Federal Government’s ability to shutdown the mill if it breaches its effluent guidelines.”
“The Minister has taken Gunns’ bait hook, line and sinker, and this spells very bad news for Tasmania’s fishing industry, brand and wider economy.”
“The duplicity of Minister Garrett and Gunns Ltd in claiming that the penalty regime had been strengthened is breathtaking.”
“The only real protection from the mill’s marine pollution has now been removed – there is now no way that government can order the mill to cease operation if it breaches pollution limits.”
“This audacious deception about effluent breach penalties simply compounds the litany of deceit that has been foisted onto Tasmanians during the entire mill approval process,” said Mr Booth.
