Rallies to oppose Gunns pulp mill

Peetee Lloyd, Hobart

On March 1, 300 people opposed to the proposed Tamar pulp mill gathered at Hobart's Town Hall to hear about the effects of the proposal on our environment.

Vica Bayley from the Wilderness Society, who hosted the forum, gave a power-point presentation highlighting what requires saving. He said, "We know the Gunns' pulp mill will drive the destruction of native forests" and gave examples of wildlife species facing extinction.

Tasmanian Greens leader Peg Putt told the rally that Timber Communities Australia and the forestry division of the CFMEU had compiled a signed statement from all 52 Labor and Liberal state election candidates pledging support for the pulp mill. She added, "The pulp mill [proposal] is based on 20 years of forest destruction, the effects of which were not fully investigated by the environment impact statement". National Toxics Network senior advisor Dr Mariann Lloyd-Smith also spoke.

The Greens and the Wilderness Society do not oppose a pulp mill, but they do oppose Gunns' proposal because it is not chlorine-free, closed-loop or plantation based.

Gunns chief John Gay has made the pulp mill a state election issue by saying that, in the event of a balance-of-power government after March 18, he will take the mill to either China or Malaysia. Linda Seaborn, the Socialist Alliance candidate for Denison, responded, "That's why we call for the nationalisation of Gunns".

From Green Left Weekly, March 8, 2006.

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From GLW issue 659