poll

Postal voting in Tasmanian local government elections begins from between 13 to 16 October and closes 10am, Tuesday 27 October.

TAP Into A Better Tasmania (TAP) is a non-party political movement. Voters who have added their names to TAP's Voters Block have pledged not to vote for candidates who support Gunns' proposed pulp mill in the Tamar valley. The Voters Block has over 23 700 registrations and has surpassed the original target of 22 000. The number is growing steadily and the new target is 28 000. 

TAP has been contacting candidates in local council elections to ask the question "Do you support or oppose Gunns' planned pulp mill in the Tamar Valley?". Candidates who oppose the pulp mill and have given permission to publish their names are listed below.

Twenty five anti pulp mill candiates are in the local government elections for positions as councillors, deputy mayor and mayor across five northern councils.

We have made every attempt to ensure that the list is accurate but there may be one or two latecomers. Their names will be posted here as soon as possible. If there are any errors, or you would like to make a suggestion, please email tapcontact@gmail.com. Read more to see the list.

Candidates supported by the Voters Block as at 10.30pm Friday 16 October, 2009

Introduction - Why jobs?

Creation of new jobs is the central pillar in the case for winning the hearts and minds of Tasmanians for Gunns’ proposed pulp mill. Gunns’ CEO John Gay said the “mill would create jobs and long-term job security for a significant part of Tasmania's workforce” [1]. This position is echoed by the Forest Industry Association of Tasmania chairman, CFMEU forestry division, Timber Communities Australia, the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and both Liberal and Labor parties, as well as some northern council mayors.

The promise of thousands of new jobs helped ex-Premier Paul Lennon justify rescuing the ‘critically non compliant’ Gunns pulp mill in 2007 with a special act of Parliament, the Pulp Mill Assessment Act (PMAA). The other main pillar of support for quickly passing the PMAA, the urgency of Gunns’ commercial needs, has now been discredited. However, the creation of new jobs remains as the central justification for the project by Liberal and Labor. Labor is positioning itself for the 2010 March election as the pro-jobs party and the Greens as anti-jobs.

What we are asked to believe

There are several competing stories around the pulp mill proposal that we are asked to believe. We can choose to believe Gunns’ PR man Matt Horan, who says it will create 2000 construction jobs [2], or we can believe Gunns’ secret advice to the George Town Council engineer that only 1250 building workers are needed [3]. We can choose to believe Horan that the pulp mill will create “about 16,000 jobs in the future," [4] or we can believe consultant ITS Global that it will create only 292 direct long term jobs [5].

We can believe Gunns’ stated wishes that underskilled Tasmanians with no experience in pulp mills will get preference over skilled outsiders from interstate or the thousands of overseas experienced pulp workers who have been made redundant in the global downturn. Further, we can believe that the fourth largest kraft chemical pulp mill in the world will happily co-exist with fishing, tourism and nature-based activities, boutique wineries, organic food producers and farming [6].

We are also asked to believe the Liberal and Labor story that Tasmania as a provider of undifferentiated bulk commodities is better than one based on the State’s distinctive and unique attributes that give businesses in tourism, fishing, wineries, organic foods, and others a competitive edge.

The consequences of choosing to believe the wrong story are serious. So what are the job facts and which story stands up?

“Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke last week flagged using taxpayer subsidies to make it more attractive to foreign operatives to take control of Gunns’ planned pulp mill and Tasmania's resources” said TAP Into A Better Tasmania spokesman, Bob McMahon.

But a new state-wide EMRS poll shows two in every three Tasmanians don’t want the planned Tamar Valley pulp mill to go ahead because it will result in foreign operatives effectively controlling Tasmanian water, land and forests.

11 November 2009. Gunns gains finance. Joint Venture Partner is a Japanese Pulp and Paper group. Federal and State Labor collude in the deal.

“Highly confidential information was made available to TAP on the evening of November 10th,” stated TAP spokesperson Bob McMahon.

“The information throws up the following serious questions,” continued McMahon.

• Is it true that Gunns Ltd has managed to find finance to construct its pulp mill through a joint venture partnership with a Japanese Pulp and Paper Group (unnamed)?
• Is it true that in order to achieve this joint venture partnership Gunns has been obliged to give away between half and two thirds equity in Gunns Ltd?
• Is it true that the Tasmanian State Labor Government and Federal Labor Government were party to the deal and made it possible by giving guarantees that only governments can give?
• Is it true that the Tasmanian Labor Government has provided resource guarantees of land, forests and water as well as guaranteeing compulsory acquisition of land for the pulp mill water pipeline easement?
• Is it true that the Federal Government has guaranteed subsidies for capital works and equipment?
• If the Federal Government is providing assistance, then how does this square with the requirement under the EPBC Act for Gunns to complete hydrodynamic modelling and for the research to be assessed by the Federal Government prior to their granting approvals?

6 November 2009. Bartlett allowed clearing on pulp mill site when permits had expired

Why has Bartlett allowed work to begin on the pulp mill site when permit concerns were raised with the EPA last July?

TAP Into A Better Tasmania expressed outrage today that community concerns have again been disregarded by Tasmania's State Government.

Questions about the permit conditions for Gunns Ltd's proposed Pulp Mill were raised with the Environmental Protection Authority over three months ago, but continue to remain largely unacknowledged by David Bartlett.

The legality of land clearance beyond the permit deadlines has also been criticised by members of the University of Tasmania's Law Faculty.

"The clearing of vegetation from the mill site began in early August, and concerns were immediately expressed to the EPA, and to several key government ministers, querying the legality of the work. We are furious that despite loud warning bells, no-one was listening" said TAP spokesman Tony Saddington.

"We have concerns that site work carried out by Gunns would contravene the Pulp Mill Assessment Act, given that Gunns have cleared vegetation without the necessary permits. David Bartlett has allowed destructive land clearing to take place while ignoring the community's concerns, and with no suggestion Gunns should have penalties imposed for breaching permit conditions," he continued.

TAP said the Government should have called for an immediate suspension of work at the Long Reach site until questions relating to permit issues had been addressed.

"David Bartlett is repeating the errors of his predecessor Paul Lennon in allowing expired permits to be revived through a fast-tracked extension. That Gunns have failed to attract finance, or the interest of a Joint Venture Partner is clearly shown by David Bartlett's cynical extension of the time frame to 2011. But his decision has condemned Tamar Valley residents to a further two years of uncertainty and despair.

"If government arrogance and lack of adherence to proper process is what the community can look forward to, then our fears about this project would seem to be entirely justified. And the iniquitous PMAA prevents any right of appeal by any individual or business should the mill cause any harm whatsoever to their health or livelihoods," said Mr Saddington.

TAP is still waiting for answers to questions asked of senior ministers in relation to this issue.

4 November 2009. TAP condemns new legislation to revive the pulp mill.

TAP condemned the decision by David Bartlett's government in extending permit conditions for the proposed Gunns' Pulp mill by a further 2 years.

David Bartlett promised Tasmanians an end to the pulp mill uncertainty by Christmas last year, and suddenly with the permits expired, the ALP is now in the process of fast tracking legislation that will continue division in the community for a further 2 years said a TAP spokesman.

"We have fought against this mill for 5 years in order to keep local jobs in the Tamar valley. David Bartlett has now ensured that the community will continue the fight to protect its health, jobs and livelihood" he continued.

"We will not give up. Any potential partner, buys into extremely strong community opposition."

12 October 2009. TAP has warned politicians and commentators against “jumping to self-serving conclusions over the alleged ‘attack’ on John Gay’s house.

“A witness has reported to TAP that the graffiti on John Gay’s property was composed of some squiggles and a drawing of a penis. We have no information about the alleged ‘smoke bomb’, TAP spokesperson Bob McMahon said today.

“It was entirely predictable from past performances that fingers would be pointed at the anti-pulp mill community organization TAP, for the alleged ‘attack’ on John Gay’s house”, he said.

“And how self-serving for pulp mill supporters to do so.

“We live in a very divided community and we do well to ask ourselves how this came about and who is responsible?” he continued.

“The State Government and its proxy, Gunns Ltd, have deliberately ignored community concerns about the impact of the proposed mill on jobs, health and investments in the Tamar Valley and throughout Tasmania.

“This is toxic to community cohesion”, he said.

“In addition, the State Government in collusion with Forestry Tasmania and Gunns Ltd, has continued to operate and subsidise at public expense an outmoded monopolistic forest industry that has forced forest contractors out of business and Gunns employees onto the scrap heap.

“It’s a great credit to Tasmanians that given all the hurt and provocation they have largely avoided violence and damage to property and have not lowered themselves to the standards of the State Government and certain other players”, Mr McMahon said.

8 August 2009 Galaxy poll on support for Gunns' planned pulp mill
 

The Greens commisioned Galaxy to poll 1100 Australians between 24 and 26 July, 2009. The following question was asked: "The logging company Gunns proposes to build a pulp mill in Tasmania's Tamar Valley. A substantial amount of woodchips being used in the mill would be sourced from Tasmania's native forests. Do you personally support or oppose the building of the pulp mill?"
Results:

12 November 2007 Roy Morgan poll

An opinion poll of 552 voters from across Australia was conducted Roy Morgan re the pulp mill. (The exact wording of the questions was not reported). Results:

12 September 2007 Galaxy poll on voter intentions
Investors for the Future of Tasmania commissioned Galaxy to poll attitudes of 1004 voters around Australia towards Gunns’ pulp mill.
The sample included 302 people from New South Wales, 280 from Victoria and Tasmania, 189 from Queensland, 121 South Australia and 112 Western Australia. Results:

• Supported the mill 21%;
• Opposed the mill 41%;
• Undecided 38%.

On a two answer preferred basis; support = 34%, opposed = 66%.

Commentary. Of the 41% who opposed the mill, 64% said the issue would affect their vote. Of voters aged 35 years or older, 46% opposed the pulp mill. More voters opposed the pulp mill than were in favour across all states, capital cities, regional and rural areas.

Source www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,22404928-921,00.html

8 August 2007 EMRS poll on fast tracking and support for the mill

Investors for the Future of Tasmania commissioned EMRS to survey 500 people from the South, 250 from the North and 250 from North-West of Tasmania. Question 1. - do you agree with the Government's fast-track process? Results:

• Yes 26%;
• No 64%;
• Unsure 10%.
• On a two answer preferred basis; yes = 29%, no = 71%.

Question 2. Are you in favour of the current proposal to build a pulp mill in the Tamar valley? Results:

• Yes 40%;
• No 51%;
• Unsure 9%.
• On a two answer preferred basis; yes = 44%, no = 56%.

Source www.investorsfortas.com

October 2005 West Tamar Council elector poll

West Tamar Council held a voluntary elector poll with the question - are you in favour of the proposed pulp mill? 8700 voters responded. Results:

• Yes 44%;
• No 56%.

Source http://www.electoral.tas.gov.au/pages/LocalGovernment/LG2005/LG2005FirstPref/LG2005_WestTamar.htm
 
 
24 April 2007 TasPoll poll on support for the mill

TasPoll was commissioned by TAP to survey 1 000 Tasmanians in the northern 63 telephone district with the question - are you in favour of the current proposal to build a pulp mill in the Tamar valley? Results:

Twenty nine opinion polls relating to Gunns proposed pulp mill have been conducted between October 2005 and the present. Twenty polls directly measure the level of support and opposition and are summarised in the table below.  Overall, more than twice as many oppose Gunns’ proposed pulp mill as support it. For the details of each poll carried out during a particular preriod, click on the month/year list below.