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.

“KordaMentha wrote to me in September 2013, asking the Government to consider introducing legislation to remove any doubt as to the ongoing validity of the Pulp Mill Permit,” Ms Giddings said.

“I replied that we were willing to take appropriate action if the sales process identified serious and credible pulp mill proponents.

“On Monday KordaMentha briefed Government that there was significant interest in the pulp mill project.

“On that basis, I advised KordaMentha that the Government’s requirement had been met and I that we would take necessary action to ensure the project is not jeopardised by doubts over whether the Permit remains valid.

In a letter received yesterday, KordaMentha reiterated the importance of doubts removal legislation, which has contributed to the State Government’s final decision.

“The passage of legislation through the Tasmanian Parliament that clarifies the validity of the Permit will enhance investor confidence and increase the likelihood that the Project will proceed,” the letter states.

“We cannot afford to wait until after the election, when Parliament may not sit until May,” Ms Giddings said.

“The sale process will conclude on March 31 and if there is no certainty around the permits, there is a real danger that the trees will be sold without the pulp mill. If there is no resource then we will never see a pulp mill built in Tasmania.

“Labor has always supported the proposed pulp mill, and the enormous boost for jobs and the economy that it could bring to Tasmania, which is why I am prepared to do whatever it takes to realise this investment.”

Ms Giddings urged the Liberal Party not to play politics with the pulp mill and to work with Labor to support the doubts removal bill through to Royal Assent.

“The challenge for Will Hodgman is to back his claimed support for the pulp mill by agreeing to vote for the Bill without playing games, knowing the election will be held on March 15 regardless.

“If Mr Hodgman plays politics with this issue he will be toying with the future of a $2 billion project which would create jobs for thousands of Tasmanians.”

Lara Giddings Premier