Pulp mill alive for six months as Gunns fails to sign agreement
Matthew Denholm; 2/9/08
Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett may be unable to deliver on his promise to tear up a sovereign risk agreement for the Gunns $2 billion pulp mill on November 30. Mr Bartlett has repeatedly cited the last day of November as the “line in the sand” after which his Government’s support for the mill - particularly the sovereign risk deal - will cease. Last night, however, conservationists were concerned the fine print of the sovereign risk agreement may prevent its termination until well into next year. The agreement, struck during the administration of ex-premier Paul Lennon, provides $15 million to Gunns should parliament protect forests earmarked for the mill’s wood supply.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24279489-5013404,00.html
Tags: Australia, Environment, Trade
September 4th, 2008 at 10:30 am
This makes sense - the forestry industry is spoon fed, coddled and shielded from any repsonsibility for it’s actions. Lennon would have wanted to ensure the most well-fleeced bed for his protege.