Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Garrett’s pulp mill approval and sovereign risk: baloney?

By Peter Henning - posted Friday, 30 January 2009


They have been given more time to find a solution to the problems associated with building a pipeline from Trevallyn dam to the Bell Bay site, and to build arguments for extra tax-payer subsidies.

They have been given time to see where the Bartlett Government’s dip into the federal infrastructure fund helps logging-transport arrangements to Bell Bay and the upgrading of the Bell Bay port itself.

Is it coincidental that the extension to Gunns until March 2011 to complete hydro-dynamic modelling comes after the next federal election, which has to be held, at the latest, before the end of January 2011? This gives the Rudd Government flexibility over time leading up to and after the federal election to see how they should play the mill issue to the greatest electoral advantage to them.

Advertisement

However you look at it politically, the extension of time to Gunns is a win-win outcome, for Gunns and for the Rudd Government. It has nothing to do with Garrett wanting hydro-dynamic modelling for effluent disposal in Bass Strait, because that was always going to be required under the terms of EPBC Act, but it has everything to do with providing political options, not just to fit the electoral cycle, but also to fit the rapidly deteriorating economic situation.

I have said it before on numerous occasions, and I will say it again. The push is on for the use of the Rudd infrastructure funds to fund Gunns’ mill. Forget about infrastructure in health and education. Forget about investment in alternative energy which is the only hope for Australia in the long term.

Let me put it as baldly as I can. If in fact it is true that Gunns can seek compensation if Garrett varies Turnbull’s approval conditions as he claims, just answer this. How can the Rudd Government even consider introducing an ETS for carbon without risking exactly the same sovereign risk claims from every company that has negotiated with governments and is likely to be affected by that legislation? I’m talking about companies involved in projects that already exist, not those, as is the case with Gunns, that haven’t even started.

If I am wrong about this, I want to know why and I want to know how. If the fourth estate can’t ask these basic questions and explore the underlying issues involved in this, then they need to be exposed for their failure as well.

As for the people of Tasmania, it’s absolutely simple. We have no Obama, no political leadership which is willing or capable of understanding even the fundamental tenets of representative and responsible government and governance.

If this is a sovereign risk issue as Garrett claims, where is the democratic equity in that notion for the people of the Tamar Valley? What does sovereign risk mean to you if you have a house, a business, a property, a vegetable garden, a fishing enterprise, a respiratory illness? Can you claim sovereign risk due to a government agreement with a corporation to establish a pulp mill at Bell Bay if you happen to be adversely affected?

Advertisement

Be assured that sovereign risks do not apply to people, just as the PMAA-PMP deliberately excludes them from consideration. But then, the CSIRO report about effluent disposal in Bass Strait has never been made public either, has it?

So what does sovereign risk mean to you?

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All

First published in the Tasmanian Times on January 22, 2009.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

4 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Peter Henning is a former teacher and historian. He is a former Tasmanian olive grower, living in Melbourne.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Peter Henning

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 4 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy