Private talks between Gunns and Greens party, aimed at gaining Greens' acceptance of proposed pulp mill project were main driver of 'sham forest peace deal,' says Tasmania's Parliamentary Secretary to Minister for Agriculture, Senator Richard Colbeck

Diane Keaton

DEVONPORT, Tasmania, Australia , January 24, 2014 (press release) – The Bell Bay pulp mill was the main driver for the development of the sham forest 'peace deal', Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Senator Richard Colbeck said.

"Despite feverish denials by the Greens it is well known the main driver of the sham peace deal process was to gain their acceptance for the pulp mill project," Senator Colbeck said.

Senator Colbeck said the sham peace deal process started as a private conversation between Gunns and the Greens before it was picked up and crudely shoved onto the community by Labor and the Greens.

"When the Greens say the industry came to them they mean Gunns came to them. The rest of the industry is a victim of that approach and were sucked into the vortex," he said.

Senator Colbeck said the damage and agony suffered by the forestry industry was a by-product of the clumsy attempt by Labor and the Greens to turn a corporate deal into public policy.

"It is unsurprising to hear Bryan Green today admit in the media Labor has not been approached by any proponents regarding the pulp mill. The Coalition has fielded a number of enquiries," he said.

"It is clear no one is interested in talking to Labor about this important project."

"The pulp mill has become little more than an election campaign tool for Lara Giddings to justify her fake divorce from the Greens and for the Greens to rally their troops."

Senator Colbeck said the Greens' denials about the pulp mill were worthless.

"We already know that the Greens will say anything to get their way, just like when Bob Brown called for the construction of coal fired power stations while campaigning against renewable Hydro energy in the 1980's," he said.

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