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Tasmanian Government behind Gunns

The Tasmanian Government has flagged it is willing to consider all options to secure a pulp mill in the Tamar Valley. Source: ABC News

The major projects sub-committee of cabinet met to consider whether permits for the mill are still valid.

The Examiner newspaper is reporting parliament may be recalled before the election to consider legislation preventing a legal challenge to the mill, in response to a request from Gunns’ receiver.

A Government spokesman refused to confirm the suggestion but said the Government was willing to consider all options to create jobs.

He also declined to comment on speculation Premier Lara Giddings will sever ties with the Greens and announce an election date tomorrow.

The environmental group, which has challenged the validity of the mill’s permits, has vowed to fight any legislation that would affect its ability to take legal action.

The director of the Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Peter McGlone, said limiting power of the courts is an abuse of parliament and he would take it further.

“We would have the perfect right and a strong moral case to then go to the High Court of Australia, pending on having finance and pending the details of the legislation which we haven’t seen,” he said.

“My initial response is that we would consider going to the High Court to have any state legislation struck out.”

Opposition spokesman Peter Gutwein said his party will support legislation to override a legal challenge to the pulp mill project, but he is sceptical of whether the Government would pursue it.

“If this does end up in the parliament then obviously, as we supported this project, we would support this legislation, I want to be clear on that,” he said.

“We want to ensure that this project has every opportunity to get up, but this is more about political posturing than anything else.”

Greens leader Nick McKim accused the major parties of politicking.

McKim said they are trying to win votes based on a pulp mill “mirage” that will never eventuate because it does not have the necessary community support.

“Of course we won’t support any enabling legislation or doubts removal legislation on the pulp mill,” he said. “But this is simply politics and politicking for politics sake and the Tasmanian people deserve better.”