The Police have already announced that they are setting up detention centres for those arrested at the anti-pulpmill rally. Shades of Guantanamo Bay!

They also want to be allowed to charge those arrested for their services, even though they represent a minor fraction of the total number of demonstrators. I wonder if this means they will be given a 'quota'? (120 arrests equals break-even point!)

The Tasmanian Government is to decide this Monday (30 June 2008) on whether to extend the 'sovereign risk' deal with Gunns.  Tell Cabinet why you want them to terminate the special compensation deal for Gunns.

This summary was released on 16 June 2008 by Lawyers for Forests as general information for the public. It does not constitute legal opinion or a view as to the merits of the case. The trial started on 18 June before Justice Tracey in the Federal Court in Melbourne. For further information, go to www.lawyersforforest.asn.au

Section 11 of the Pulp Mill Assessment Act (PMAA) 2007
Section 11 says no one is entitled to appeal for compensation from damages to their business, property values or health caused by Gunns’ planned pulp mill. The legislation deliberately and thoroughly attempts to remove any opportunity for people to seek redress if they are adversely affected in any way. Section 11 is deliberately designed to prevent access to the court system by the people. Parliament has used its power to weaken the democratic rights of Tasmanians.

Gunns have not provided a risk assessment in their Integrated Impact Assessment of hazardous chemical transport, of the pulp mill generally* or of pipelines carrying water and waste. UK regulations now requires a risk assessment for the transport of all hazardous chemicals. The cost of not doing a risk assessment could be very significant. A range of risks must be considered in building and operating pipelines such as those listed below.

Summary of general pipeline construction and operation risks 

TAP congratulates the ANZ Bank on its principled decision not to approve funding for Gunns' planned pulp mill in the Tamar Valley. Its decision positions the bank as a leader in Australian banking.

 Last year, ANZ said it would apply social and environmental tests to Gunns' proposal as per the Equator Principles.

 ANZ's decision recognises the high unexamined social and environmental costs associated with Gunns' proposal.  

An analysis of the strategic planning environment for the planned pulp mill was presented to TAP members in early May 2008. Presenter was Mike Bolan.

Its purpose was to inform planning and decisions about where to focus efforts.

Some slides from that presentation are shown below to give a whole of system perspective . It follows on from a workshop that identified the needs of community members of TAP who live in the affected area of the Tamar Valley and northern Tasmania.

Mr Gerard Brown
ANZ Group Headquarters
100 Queen St Melbourne Vic 3000
gerard.brown@anz.com   

Dear Sir

We wish to draw attention to the impacts on threatened species from Gunns Ltd’s proposed Long Reach pulp mill in northern Tasmania and the role of ANZ as prospective principal banker.

We and the general public understand that the ANZ has serious obligations under the Equator Principles to examine the environmental aspects of the pulp mill project and the pipeline route.