STATE Parliament looks set to be recalled before the election to consider new legislation that would quash a legal challenge to the pulp mill, as the Gunns receiver revealed it was in talks with six interested buyers.
Premier Lara Giddings is expected to announce the bold move tomorrow when she will also sack the two Greens ministers from cabinet and name the state election date.
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The Examiner understands the new legislation will clarify the pulp mill’s permit conditions to thwart a green group’s attempt to have the permit declared invalid through the courts.
The Tasmanian Conservation Trust launched Supreme Court action two years ago, arguing the state government permits had lapsed because Gunns had failed to “substantially commence” work.
It is believed receiver KordaMentha has raised the issue with the government and the newly formed major projects cabinet subcommittee has been working on ways to address it.
A government source yesterday told The Examiner the Premier was “strongly considering” recalling Parliament to strengthen the permits.
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KordaMentha yesterday released an update on the Gunns assets sale process, revealing six parties would proceed to the second stage, but not all are looking at the pulp mill.
“Some of the parties in the final six are interested in the pulp mill opportunity, while others are only interested in the wood-chipping business and associated assets,” it said.
Potential buyers are expected to submit final bids by the end of March.
• insider trader, in Comments: Why didn’t Ms Bolger report on the fact there were no buyers for the standalone sale of Gunns’ MIS scheme assets. A marketing campaign was undertaken by PPB Advisory, Liquidator of Gunns Plantations to canvass a diverse range of potential interested parties, advertising both locally in Australia and overseas. Over 70 interested parties were identified. These parties were provided with an interested party pack …
• Vica Bayley: Pulp mill legislation would compound existing failures
• Tim Thorne, TAP: Take community opposition to a Tamar Valley pulp mill into account …
• Lara Giddings: Parliament to be recalled Parliament will be recalled on January 28 for a special sitting to remove doubts about the validity of the permits for the proposed Bell Bay Pulp Mill project. The Premier, Lara Giddings, ‘doubts removal’ legislation was initially requested by Gunns’ receivers, KordaMentha.
• Peter Gutwein, Sunday Tasmanian: Brutal reality of forest future
• Friends of the Tamar Valley and Pulp the Mill: Steadfast community opposition to pulp mill remain
• Stop Tamar Valley Pulp Mill Rally: 22nd January from 6-7.30pm. Tailrace, Waterfront Dr, Riverside
• John Lawrence, Tasfintalk: When Gunns first entered voluntary administration 15 months ago it seemed as if the secured creditors (the banks) would get most of what they were owed. It didn’t much matter if the pulp mill permit was worthless; there was enough value in Gunns’ other assets to ensure the banks were repaid.Creditors and shareholders wouldn’t get anything. KordaMentha the receivers in control of most of Gunns’s assets acted for the banks and didn’t care about others: growers, creditors, the people of Tasmania. Their mission was to ensure there was enough in the pool to cover their fees and to pay the banks.But with every passing day throughout the insolvency administration period the banks’ shortfall has been increasing. Read the full article, here
