Lindsay Fox of Fox Transport has weighed into the argument on Tasmania’s forestry future says the Tasmania could reach depression-era levels of unemployment if project such as the Gunns pulp mill don’t go ahead. Source: AAP, Nine MSN, Tasmanian Times, ABC News
The billionaire founder of international trucking company Linfox said the controversial pulp mill, which has been hampered by environmental campaigns and Gunns’ financial situation, was “common sense”.
Mr Fox stopped short of indicating he would consider becoming the white knight investor Gunns has been seeking.
Another supporter of Gunns appears to be the Tasmanian Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (DIER) – that is according to the Tasmanian Greens who want to know why Gunns’ debt for road works remains unpaid.
Greens Forestry spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources had spent about $240,000 on a box culvert under the East Tamar Highway specifically to enable Gunns’ pulp mill pipeline to be laid under the highway.
Mr Booth said that in 2008, the Secretary of DIER forgave Gunns the original deadline to pay for the culvert, instead seeking a letter from Gunns they commit to paying for the works subject to the project going ahead.
“Gunns say they have substantially commenced the pulp mill, and Labor says it agrees that’s the case, so now it’s time for the company to receive its bill and pay up on time,” said Booth.
Meanwhile Tasmania’s Upper house is pushing for more funding to be allocated to struggling forestry workers.
The Legislative Council has passed a motion calling on the Federal Government to top up a $15 million fund for forestry workers to exit the industry.
Independent Greg Hall told Parliament the money ran out on April 12, 2012. Extra funding may be available under a forestry peace deal.
