Federal court split decision:

Brown calls for Turnbull, Garrett review of pulp mill impact on Tassie forests
 
"Whoever is Minister for the Environment next Monday, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett or another, should urgently review the huge impact of Gunns' pulp mill on Tasmania's native forests and wildlife habitat," Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.
 
In a split decision, Justice Tamberlin issued a dissenting report in which says that section 42(c) of the Environment Protection Biodiversity and Conservation Act is applicable in this case and therefore requires the Minister to take into account the 'adverse impacts of the RFA forestry operations occasioned by the need to supply timber to the pulp mill…Having intentionally excluded consideration of these matters, the Minister erred in law."
 
The full judgement can be read at: www.fedcourt.gov.au
 
In Bondi Junction in Sydney today, Senator Brown and Geoffrey Cousins joined farmers from the Tamar Valley opposed to the pulp mill. The farmers held a stall with food and wine and invited both Malcolm Turnbull and Peter Garrett to attend.
 
"More than 200,000 hectares, that is football fields, of native forests and wildlife habitat will be destroyed if this giant, polluting mill goes ahead," Senator Brown said.
 
"The outcome is massive, greenhouse gas emissions and millions of dollars damage to local producers who depend on Tasmania's 'clean, green' brand."
 
"This is, above all, a political decision and the next federal government should protect the farmers, the 1000,000 people in the Tamar Valley and the forests," Senator Brown said.
 
Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603