Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Minister for Forestry

Friday 2nd September, 2011

Former Premier echoes mill uncertainty

Tasmanians deserve to know the status of the proposed Gunns pulp mill.

Comments made today by Paul Lennon that the Premier must step in and clear up the confusion surrounding the future of the mill echo the sentiments of the Liberals, as well as that of the Tasmanian community.

Mr Lennon expressly states that the Government can no longer wash its hands of the project.

However, comments from Labor member and ex-Infrastructure Minister Graeme Sturges this morning, where he distanced himself from the project and publicly canvassed the idea of Gunns going “belly-up” suggested that Labor is indeed happy for the mill to fall over.

The Liberals’ position is clear. We want the pulp mill to go ahead, but we don’t believe Gunns should be compensated for voluntarily exiting the native forest industry.

Tasmanians deserve to know what is going on.