Pulp mill countdown - 18 days to go: will Government support continue through wood supply agreement?
The Tasmanian Greens today marked the countdown to the Premier’s promised ‘line in the sand’ over government support being withdrawn from the controversial Gunns’ pulp mill proposal, drawing attention to the fact that there are only 18 days left to pulp mill D-Day of the 30th of November.
Greens Shadow Pulp Mill spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that David Bartlett only had 18 days left to direct Forestry Tasmania to terminate the pulp mill wood supply agreement, which is the crucial test as to whether the Bartlett government would continue to provide support to the proponent beyond the end of this month.
“The countdown to the Premier’s deadline of November 30th is underway with only 18 days to go until the Tasmanian public will see whether the loudly proclaimed ‘line in the sand’ holds or whether it will be trampled upon by the pulp mill wood supply agreement,” Mr Booth said.
“If the wood supply agreement, is not terminated by November the 30th, then make no mistake about it, government support for the pulp mill is continuing and Premier Bartlett has broken his promise.”
“For some arrogant reason, Mr Bartlett is determined to try and con the Tasmanian public into thinking that Forestry Tasmania, which is a Government Business Enterprise, somehow does not have to abide by government policy of the day, which is a nonsense.”
“Forestry Tasmania is responsible to government, hence we will be examining them through the Government Business Enterprise scrutiny committee hearings next month.”
“The Premier can ensure that Forestry Tasmania is directed to terminate the wood supply agreement, but he has only 18 days to do so if his rhetoric is going to hold water,” Mr Booth said.
Text of Motion Tabled Today by Mr Booth MP:
That the House:
1. Notes that there is an 18 day countdown to the 30th of November 2008 date identified by Premier Bartlett as the date by which all government support for the Gunns’ pulp mill proposal will be withdrawn;
2. Notes that this means that the Premier has 18 days within which to direct Forestry Tasmania to terminate the critical pulp mill wood supply agreement; and further
3. Calls on Premier Bartlett to honour his pulp mill ‘line in the sand’ promise instead of indulging in smoke and mirrors to make it appear like government support has been withdrawn which is not the case while the wood supply agreement remains in place.
