An open letter to Tasmanian timber workers about Gunns proposed pulp mill
Dear fellow workers,
Socialist Alliance is totally committed to workers’ rights. But we are also totally opposed to Gunns’ pulp mill.
We’re not against all pulp mills, but we are against this one. It would poison the environment, endanger other industries in the region, and put other workers’ livelihoods at risk. More jobs would be lost in industries adversely affected by the pulp mill than would be created.
And it would not provide long-lasting benefits to timber workers and their families.
The only lasting winners would be Gunns and its big shareholders, who would trash the forests and when there’s not enough profit to be made, pull out, leaving workers and local communities in the lurch.
Gunns' mill would pour cancer-causing chemicals, furans and dioxins, into Bass Strait and pump more than 100 million tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
The mill threatens the organic status of Tamar Valley vineyards and farms. And it threatens people’s health so much that the Australian Medical Association opposes it.
The economic report commissioned by the Tasmanian Roundtable for Sustainable Industries found that even though the pulp mill may add 280 jobs to the Tasmanian economy, it would be at a cost of 216 lives lost in extra deaths from respiratory disease and log truck accidents.
In addition, the negative impact of the pulp mill would cost 1044 jobs in the tourism industry and at least 175 jobs in the local fishing businesses.
Then there are the government subsidies, state and federal. The subsidies to be handed to Gunns for the mill would far exceed the benefits reaped from increased company tax payments.
The direct subsidies paid to the pulp mill for associated infrastructure, feasibility studies, new roads and rail would total $30 million from the state government and $65 million from the federal government. Canberra would also hand Gunns a subsidy of $242 million through the tax benefits of plantation managed investment schemes over the mill's 24-year life.
That money could and should be spent on creating sustainable timber-based industries and jobs. Since 2004 more than 300 jobs have been shed in the Tasmanian forestry industry and highly mechanised projects like this pulp mill will continue the trend.
Gunns has no ongoing commitment to timber workers. We already see this when log truck drivers have their contracts ditched, leaving them with huge debts to pay for the trucks that they are in the middle of buying.
Gunns doesn’t care about environmental impacts but working people must. We workers would have to live with the environmental and economic consequences of a bad development like the pulp mill.
If big businesses such as Gunns really were the “friends” of the workers and the environment, they wouldn’t be building this pulp mill, but follow scientific and industry best practice. That would mean a plantation-based, chlorine-free, closed-loop pulp mill that doesn't use a Kraft (sulphur-based) pulping process.
In this election the only alternative to the non-choice that the major parties offer (either jobs or the environment) is for timber workers, environmentalists and industry experts to develop their own plans for a sustainable, forest-based industry that provides jobs while protecting our environment and our communities.
Timber workers should demand that their union adopt this approach and stop simply backing whatever Gunns, the timber industry and the Lennon state government proposes.
That’s what the Socialist Alliance stands for. It’s why we’re standing in the present election. Stop this pulp mill, and let’s build an alternative future for Tasmania’s timber workers, environment and communities!
Susan Austin Matt Holloway
Authorised by: Dick Nichols, 23 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale NSW 2008
Showing posts with label Matt Holloway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matt Holloway. Show all posts
November 17, 2007
Media Release: SA candidates release open letter to timber workers
MEDIA RELEASE
Socialist Alliance election candidates release open letter to timber workers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
16th November 2007
Socialist Alliance candidates for Franklin and Denison have released an open letter to timber workers explaining why Socialist Alliance supports workers but is opposed to the Tamar Valley pulp mill.
In launching the open letter, Susan Austin, Socialist Alliance Candidate for Denison in the upcoming Federal elections, said “We’re not against all pulp mills, but we are against this one. It would poison the environment, endanger other industries in the region, and put other workers’ livelihoods at risk. More jobs would be lost in industries adversely affected by the pulp mill than would be created.”
“Gunns has no ongoing commitment to timber workers. We already see this when log truck drivers have their contracts ditched, leaving them with huge debts to pay for the trucks that they are in the middle of buying,” said Matthew Holloway, Socialist Alliance candidate for Franklin. “In addition, we know that Gunns doesn’t care about environmental impacts, but working people must. We workers would have to live with the environmental and economic consequences of a bad development like the pulp mill,” Holloway said.
Both candidates will be attending tomorrow’s anti-pulp mill march organised by The Wilderness Society. “We have been helping to promote this rally because it is important that the large majority of people in Tasmania and throughout Australia voice their opinions publicly. We expect the incoming government will eventually have to listen to the people, because the people are not giving up!” said Austin.
Susan Austin Ph: 0418 643 133
Matthew Holloway Ph: 0419 582 372
Socialist Alliance election candidates release open letter to timber workers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
16th November 2007
Socialist Alliance candidates for Franklin and Denison have released an open letter to timber workers explaining why Socialist Alliance supports workers but is opposed to the Tamar Valley pulp mill.
In launching the open letter, Susan Austin, Socialist Alliance Candidate for Denison in the upcoming Federal elections, said “We’re not against all pulp mills, but we are against this one. It would poison the environment, endanger other industries in the region, and put other workers’ livelihoods at risk. More jobs would be lost in industries adversely affected by the pulp mill than would be created.”
“Gunns has no ongoing commitment to timber workers. We already see this when log truck drivers have their contracts ditched, leaving them with huge debts to pay for the trucks that they are in the middle of buying,” said Matthew Holloway, Socialist Alliance candidate for Franklin. “In addition, we know that Gunns doesn’t care about environmental impacts, but working people must. We workers would have to live with the environmental and economic consequences of a bad development like the pulp mill,” Holloway said.
Both candidates will be attending tomorrow’s anti-pulp mill march organised by The Wilderness Society. “We have been helping to promote this rally because it is important that the large majority of people in Tasmania and throughout Australia voice their opinions publicly. We expect the incoming government will eventually have to listen to the people, because the people are not giving up!” said Austin.
Susan Austin Ph: 0418 643 133
Matthew Holloway Ph: 0419 582 372
November 02, 2007
Hobart Socialist Alliance election launch – “Workers in Australia need a party of their own”
A long banner reading “Another Australia is possible” will be held on Salamanca lawns in Hobart at 11:30am on Saturday November 3 as part of the Socialist Alliance election launch. Federal election candidates for Denison and Franklin will address supporters, explaining why workers need to support the grassroots party.
Mathew Holloway, Socialist Alliance candidate for Franklin, will speak about the need to vote Howard out, but also the need for an alternative to the ALP, which he says “has lost touch with workers”. “Working people need a party of our own,” Holloway said, “One that will repeal all the anti-worker laws like Workchoices and start to address the growing divide between rich and poor. We stand for full public funding for health, education, childcare and aged care services,” Holloway said.
Susan Austin, Socialist Alliance candidate for Denison, will explain how urgent measures need to be taken to address climate change and why we need to aim for a 60% reduction in emissions by 2020 and a 90% reduction by 2030. “We need to put the energy industry back into public hands and make a dramatic turn to renewables”, Austin said. She will also call for the Australian troops to be brought home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Melanie Barnes, a young member of Socialist Alliance, will speak about the Socialist Alliance’s support for actions like this week’s student walk-out against the pulp mill, which allow young people the opportunity to express their opinions. She will also explain why Socialist Alliance proposes lowering the voting age to 16, and has put forward many young candidates around the country.
Susan Austin Ph: 0418 643 133
Matthew Holloway Ph: 0419 582 372
Mathew Holloway, Socialist Alliance candidate for Franklin, will speak about the need to vote Howard out, but also the need for an alternative to the ALP, which he says “has lost touch with workers”. “Working people need a party of our own,” Holloway said, “One that will repeal all the anti-worker laws like Workchoices and start to address the growing divide between rich and poor. We stand for full public funding for health, education, childcare and aged care services,” Holloway said.
Susan Austin, Socialist Alliance candidate for Denison, will explain how urgent measures need to be taken to address climate change and why we need to aim for a 60% reduction in emissions by 2020 and a 90% reduction by 2030. “We need to put the energy industry back into public hands and make a dramatic turn to renewables”, Austin said. She will also call for the Australian troops to be brought home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Melanie Barnes, a young member of Socialist Alliance, will speak about the Socialist Alliance’s support for actions like this week’s student walk-out against the pulp mill, which allow young people the opportunity to express their opinions. She will also explain why Socialist Alliance proposes lowering the voting age to 16, and has put forward many young candidates around the country.
Susan Austin Ph: 0418 643 133
Matthew Holloway Ph: 0419 582 372
October 27, 2007
Socialist Alliance candidates support student walk-out
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
25th October 2007
Socialist Alliance federal election candidates Susan Austin and Matthew Holloway are urging students to walk out of school on Thursday, November 1, to join the protest being organised by Students Against the Pulp Mill.
Hundreds of students are expected to walk out of school and rally on Parliament Lawns at 12:30pm to show their opposition to the pulp mill.
Young people have strong opinions on this issue as they will inherit the environmental issues caused by the mill if it goes ahead”, said Ms Austin, candidate for Denison. “We support the right of young people to express their opinion in public, and if they need to walk out of school to get their point across, then we support that”, Ms Austin said.
Matthew Holloway, Socialist Alliance candidate for Franklin, said “Socialist Alliance supports lowering the voting age to 16 because we believe if people are old enough to pay taxes, they are old enough to have a say. Walking out of school and protesting against the pulp mill is a legitimate way for young people to get their voices heard”, he said.
“We recognise that the type of pulp mill and the location being proposed, will lead to massive amounts of air, water and odour pollution, the continued deforestation of our beautiful state and the release of thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide” Ms Austin said. “It will also lead to a loss of jobs in other industries, such as tourism, wineries and the fishing industries. With both major parties showing they are willing to over-ride due process to ensure the mill goes ahead, we support a variety of protest actions which express the democratic will of the majority, who are opposed to this mill”, Ms Austin said.
Susan Austin Ph: 0418 643 133
Matthew Holloway Ph: 0419 582 372
September 27, 2007
Tasmanian fundraising appeal letter
The more you can give, the more our socialist message will be heard!
A letter from Sam Watson, leading Indigenous activist and lead Senate candidate for Socialist Alliance in Queensland, and Matthew Holloway & Susan Austin, candidates for Franklin & Denison.
FEDERAL ELECTION 2007
PEOPLE BEFORE PROFITS!
PLANET BEFORE PROFITS!
Dear member or friend of the Socialist Alliance,
In this election—the most important federal poll in decades—the Socialist Alliance needs your support more than ever. How much you give will directly determine how powerfully we get out the socialist message.
Since the 2004 poll the Socialist Alliance has been at the forefront of the struggles that have helped put John Howard in the desperate position he is in today:
Whether it was pressuring the ACTU to call the protests that allowed working people to say how much they hate Work Choices, helping organise the “Stop Bush” rally at APEC, leading the protest movement against the disgraceful treatment of Dr Mohamed Haneef, building the struggle for equal marriage and adoption rights for gay and lesbian couples, or demanding justice for Mulrunji, Socialist Alliance was in the thick of it.
Through such struggles we helped build real resistance to the union bashers, warmongers, environmental vandals and racists.
But now election time is fast approaching and with it the chance to put forward our alternative policies, policies that put people and the environment before profits. It’s important that we get the socialist message out far and wide at this poll. The stronger the vote for the Socialist Alliance (and the Greens), the clearer the message that people don’t want Labor in Canberra to be a continuation of the Howard years.
Just as importantly, success in the elections will strengthen the Socialist Alliance’s ability to build all future struggles “on the ground”—the better placed we will be to continue the struggles for environmental sustainability, civil liberties, workers rights and justice for Indigenous Australians. That will be true whichever party wins government.
The Socialist Alliance election campaign is already under way. First, we have successfully jumped over the bureaucratic hurdles needed to regain our federal electoral registration—the precious name “socialist” will again appear on the ballot paper. Our campaign materials are now coming out, led by our groundbreaking Climate Change Charter (rated by Vote Climate 2007 as the best party policy against global warming).
But how much more we can do depends directly on you. We begin this election campaign with a fund of around $15,000. But we need at least $50,000, and to make a serious splash $100,000. While Liberal and Labor rake in millions from the public funding of parties and from their corporate friends, our socialist election campaign depends totally and exclusively on the support we get from our members and supporters.
Your donation will make a difference, for this election campaign and beyond. And remember, all donations up to $1500 are tax deductible. Please give as generously as you can manage, and make an investment in the socially just and environmentally sustainable world to which we are all committed.
Yours in solidarity,
Sam Watson, Matthew Holloway and Susan Austin
A letter from Sam Watson, leading Indigenous activist and lead Senate candidate for Socialist Alliance in Queensland, and Matthew Holloway & Susan Austin, candidates for Franklin & Denison.
FEDERAL ELECTION 2007
PEOPLE BEFORE PROFITS!
PLANET BEFORE PROFITS!
Dear member or friend of the Socialist Alliance,
In this election—the most important federal poll in decades—the Socialist Alliance needs your support more than ever. How much you give will directly determine how powerfully we get out the socialist message.
Since the 2004 poll the Socialist Alliance has been at the forefront of the struggles that have helped put John Howard in the desperate position he is in today:
Whether it was pressuring the ACTU to call the protests that allowed working people to say how much they hate Work Choices, helping organise the “Stop Bush” rally at APEC, leading the protest movement against the disgraceful treatment of Dr Mohamed Haneef, building the struggle for equal marriage and adoption rights for gay and lesbian couples, or demanding justice for Mulrunji, Socialist Alliance was in the thick of it.
Through such struggles we helped build real resistance to the union bashers, warmongers, environmental vandals and racists.
But now election time is fast approaching and with it the chance to put forward our alternative policies, policies that put people and the environment before profits. It’s important that we get the socialist message out far and wide at this poll. The stronger the vote for the Socialist Alliance (and the Greens), the clearer the message that people don’t want Labor in Canberra to be a continuation of the Howard years.
Just as importantly, success in the elections will strengthen the Socialist Alliance’s ability to build all future struggles “on the ground”—the better placed we will be to continue the struggles for environmental sustainability, civil liberties, workers rights and justice for Indigenous Australians. That will be true whichever party wins government.
The Socialist Alliance election campaign is already under way. First, we have successfully jumped over the bureaucratic hurdles needed to regain our federal electoral registration—the precious name “socialist” will again appear on the ballot paper. Our campaign materials are now coming out, led by our groundbreaking Climate Change Charter (rated by Vote Climate 2007 as the best party policy against global warming).
But how much more we can do depends directly on you. We begin this election campaign with a fund of around $15,000. But we need at least $50,000, and to make a serious splash $100,000. While Liberal and Labor rake in millions from the public funding of parties and from their corporate friends, our socialist election campaign depends totally and exclusively on the support we get from our members and supporters.
Your donation will make a difference, for this election campaign and beyond. And remember, all donations up to $1500 are tax deductible. Please give as generously as you can manage, and make an investment in the socially just and environmentally sustainable world to which we are all committed.
Yours in solidarity,
Sam Watson, Matthew Holloway and Susan Austin
August 22, 2007
No new ambulance fees! Socialist Alliance election candidates speak out and launch community petition
A community petition has been launched today calling for more public funding to our ambulance services and opposing the introduction of fees. The petition also calls on the state government to expand the role of Patient Transport Services in providing non-urgent transport to the hospital, in order to reduce the demand on the ambulance system.
In launching the petition, Susan Austin, Socialist Alliance Candidate for Denison in the upcoming Federal elections, said “The public already pays for our ambulance service through our taxes. The ambulance service does need more funding, but this can come through better government prioritisation of spending”. “Instead of more pulp mill advertising and more football games, most members of the public would like to see our ambulance system remain free and equitable”, Austin said.
Matthew Holloway, Socialist Alliance candidate for Franklin. “We need to scrap the plan proposed in this year’s state budget as it forces people to make the choice between joining private health insurance or risking high fees for any ambulance call-out. Any user-pays scheme is a step backward for social equity, but a scheme that does not exempt low income-earners and pensioners may have deadly consequences, with people hesitating to call an ambulance for fear of not being able to afford the fees,”
The candidates feel that it is important for the public to have a voice on this issue while the state government is in the process of working out the details of their policy. “We expect the petition will gain much support, because people believe that providing emergency services to all citizens is a key governmental obligation.” Austin said.
The petition can be downloaded from the Socialist Alliance Hobart website at or the petition can be signed directly online.
Susan Austin and Matthew Holloway
Ph: 0418 643 133 Ph: 0419 582 372
In launching the petition, Susan Austin, Socialist Alliance Candidate for Denison in the upcoming Federal elections, said “The public already pays for our ambulance service through our taxes. The ambulance service does need more funding, but this can come through better government prioritisation of spending”. “Instead of more pulp mill advertising and more football games, most members of the public would like to see our ambulance system remain free and equitable”, Austin said.
Matthew Holloway, Socialist Alliance candidate for Franklin. “We need to scrap the plan proposed in this year’s state budget as it forces people to make the choice between joining private health insurance or risking high fees for any ambulance call-out. Any user-pays scheme is a step backward for social equity, but a scheme that does not exempt low income-earners and pensioners may have deadly consequences, with people hesitating to call an ambulance for fear of not being able to afford the fees,”
The candidates feel that it is important for the public to have a voice on this issue while the state government is in the process of working out the details of their policy. “We expect the petition will gain much support, because people believe that providing emergency services to all citizens is a key governmental obligation.” Austin said.
The petition can be downloaded from the Socialist Alliance Hobart website at or the petition can be signed directly online.
Susan Austin and Matthew Holloway
Ph: 0418 643 133 Ph: 0419 582 372
August 11, 2007
Volunteer! Donate! Download!
This year we are heading into an important election period where Australians have to make important decisions about our climate, civil liberties and workers rights. It is the first time that we have seen a real change in attitudes towards the Coalition. The prospect of getting rid of Howard is an exciting one but we can not expect that the Labor Party will have a progressive vision for the majority of Australians. Socialist Alliance has a vision for a different Australia - we oppose the economic rationalist policies of the other parties and call for an Australia where everyone has access to decent and free health care, education and transport.
We seek to enshrine the values of a just, democratic and sustainable society in the constitution and in a Bill of Rights. We call for a treaty with Australia’s indigenous community and support justice and self-determination for our Indigenous Australians. We seek to rebuild our public sector, improve accountability and efficiency and create jobs by nationalising industry to place our vital services in the hands of the people.
Socialist Alliance has already announced two candidates to run in the Lower House. Susan Austin will be running for the Denison and Matthew Holloway for Franklin. Our election campaign will continue the grassroots campaigning that we do all year round to protect worker rights by calling for a complete repeal of Workchoices and other anti-worker legislation. We are also one of the only parties calling for complete troop withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Vote Climate website rates Socialist Alliance’s climate policy the best of all the parties, as we have a plan to radically cut carbon emissions. We have a detailed Workers Rights Charter and a Climate Change dossier which you can download from our website.
We need your help to run!
Below is a list that gives you an idea of the minimum costs involved in our campaign.
We seek to enshrine the values of a just, democratic and sustainable society in the constitution and in a Bill of Rights. We call for a treaty with Australia’s indigenous community and support justice and self-determination for our Indigenous Australians. We seek to rebuild our public sector, improve accountability and efficiency and create jobs by nationalising industry to place our vital services in the hands of the people.
Socialist Alliance has already announced two candidates to run in the Lower House. Susan Austin will be running for the Denison and Matthew Holloway for Franklin. Our election campaign will continue the grassroots campaigning that we do all year round to protect worker rights by calling for a complete repeal of Workchoices and other anti-worker legislation. We are also one of the only parties calling for complete troop withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Vote Climate website rates Socialist Alliance’s climate policy the best of all the parties, as we have a plan to radically cut carbon emissions. We have a detailed Workers Rights Charter and a Climate Change dossier which you can download from our website.
We need your help to run!
Below is a list that gives you an idea of the minimum costs involved in our campaign.
In order to Run 2 candidates in the House of Representatives and 2 in the Senate we will need to raise a minimum total of $5040. Your tax-deductible donation can help us to create a strong and vibrant campaign that gives everyone in Tasmania the opportunity to vote for Socialist policies. With your help we can run in the Senate and send a clear message to the major parties about the kind of policies we need for Australia’s future.
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