I have always been a big fan of Midnight Oil but in particular Garrett’s edgy ability to speak up for things that matter. In the past year I have seen a steady comprimise in him for the sake of ‘the party’ and I guess his career. This decision (which overides the Premier of Tas not to extend the reporting time for Gunns) is just the last nail in the coffin for me, my old hero of environmentalism is gone as far as I can see. Every time I listen to The Oils now it is with a sense of sadness 😦
Peter Garrett ‘grants further favours’ over pulp mill
Christian Kerr | September 09, 2008
THE Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, has been accused of granting favours to forestry company Gunns over its controversial pulp mill project in northern Tasmania.
Mr Garrett yesterday granted Gunns an extension until January next year to complete the environmental impact management plan for the mill.
“It is not unusual for major projects to need additional time to ensure that all environmental matters are fully investigated and properly addressed,” he said.
“The comprehensive assessment of every aspect of the Gunns EIMP by both my department and the Independent Experts Group must not be rushed.”
Gunns welcomed the decision. “Approval of the EIMP modules is a complex and time-consuming process,” Gunns’ resource manager Calton Frame said.
Ed Cooper, from activist group GetUp!, accused Mr Garrett of “granting further favours to Gunns”.
The Opposition said Mr Garrett was “doing his best to indicate” the approvals process “has nothing to do with him”.
Environment spokesman Greg Hunt said: “Every time he is quizzed about the planned mill, he hides behind the work carried out by his department, the Independent Experts Group and the former government.”
The extension was slammed by the Greens.
“It was a condition of Malcolm Turnbull’s approval that Gunns would have 12 months to finalise their approvals process,” Senator Christine Milne said.
“Gunns knew that, and they failed to meet that deadline.”
Source The Australian
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