Vanessa Bleyer Lawyers for Forests
THE Federal Court will tomorrow hand down its verdict on the Lawyers for Forests challenge to the federal government’s approval of Gunns’ proposed pulp mill. Lawyers for Forests challenged the federal Environment Minister’s approval of the pulp mill on the basis that the Minister did not comply with the law when making his decision in October 2007.
“We do not believe that the federal government’s approval of Gunns’ proposed pulp mill in Tasmania was done lawfully,” said Ms Sophie Bird, Secretary of Lawyers for Forests.
“If we are successful, the federal government’s approval of Gunns’ pup mill will be revoked,” said Ms Bird.
Lawyers for Forests is concerned about the significant impact the mill will have on the environment, including on the marine environment and native forests, and the species that rely on those habitats.
“A fundamental element of our case has been the effect toxic effluent from Gunns’ pulp mill would have on wildlife,” said Ms Bird.
Lawyers for Forest initiated the case on 29November 2007 following the then Environment Minister Malcom Turnbull’s approval of the pulp mill on 4 October. The hearing of the case was on 18 June 2008.
