"I believe old-growth will always be part of Tasmania's (forestry) mix" -- that's what Tasmania's Premier announced last week. With a tight election just a week away, both major parties are in a race to the bottom, announcing worse environmental policies by the day.
This election affects all of us: the future of the Gunns pulp mill, and of the most carbon-dense forests in the world, are on the line. Politicians think they can win votes by trashing the environment, but with a major intervention we can turn the issue against them and make sure the new Parliament represents the interests of Tasmanians, not Gunns Ltd.
Our allies in Tasmania, Our Common Ground, have a TV ad featuring a pulp mill whistleblower that is already turning the polls around. We know this ad works - but our allies in Tasmania are being outspent 7:1 by major political parties funded by vested interests.
TV spots in Tassie range from $68 for SBS World News to just over $1000 for prime-time news spots. Can you buy your own ad spot or chip in for one to back up our allies?
www.getup.org.au/campaign/PollutedPolitics
You only need to read the polls or have a yarn with Tasmanians to know they're infuriated by the collusion between Gunns and the Government (or 'Gunnerment', as it's known in Tassie). Here's a sample of what Tasmanians (including fellow GetUp members) have told us:*
"I feel sickened by the proposed pulp mill. I have always been an easy going person but am finding myself filled with hate and anger. I love Tasmania, but feel I have lost my home."--Angie
"It's an unholy alliance between Government and big business."--Anthony
"The 'fast track' approval process by the Tasmanian Government was farcical, non-democratic and a slap in the face to all Tasmanians."--Eleanor
"The lack of support for due process by our current Liberal and Labor politicians is abhorrent and I hope they learn to live with their shortsightedness, because I will never forget!"--John
Check out this powerful TV ad and read more stories from Tasmanians about their lives under the Gunns regime:
www.getup.org.au/campaign/PollutedPolitics
This is about more than stopping the mill and protecting native forests. It's about getting behind Tasmanians, particularly in the Tamar Valley, whose faith in democracy has been shattered by the kind of dirty politics that puts corporate greed above people's needs.
They need your support.
Thanks for supporting Tasmanian GetUp members in this election,
The GetUp Team
PS - Here's what Dr. Warwick Raverty, who features in this whistleblower ad, has to say: "Political corruption meant I was forced to resign from my role as chief technical advisor on the pulp mill assessment panel. I felt it was my duty to turn whistleblower to protect the forests of Tasmania and the residents of the Tamar Valley."
*We used aliases for the quotes, because many Tasmanians are still worried about law suits and other retribution for speaking out against Gunns or the mill.
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GetUp is an independent, not-for-profit community campaigning group. We use new technology to empower Australians to have their say on important national issues. We receive no political party or government funding, and every campaign we run is entirely supported by voluntary donations.