LEGISLATION to extend the Tamar Valley pulp mill permit and effectively overrule a current legal challenge is undemocratic, Hobart MLC Rob Valentine has said.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Valentine is one of three MLCs determined to vote against the Pulp Mill Assessment Amendment Bill when it comes before the Legislative Council this week.
He said the legislation, which effectively quashes a live legal challenge by the Tasmanian Conservation Trust on whether ``substantial work'' had begun on the Longreach site within the four years set by the 2007 permit, was ``changing the rules midstream''.
``I think that anything that comes on as far as legislation is concerned while there's a matter unfinished before the courts is actually undermining democracy,'' Mr Valentine said.
The majority of MLCs are expected to support the legislation, which is likely to come before the upper house late today or tomorrow.
Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest said while she had concerns about the legislation being rushed through Parliament, she was inclined to support it because she supported the project.
Ms Forrest said it was important to strike the right balance between allowing a right of appeal and not allowing endless appeals on the same point.
``Where there's a proper process followed and appeals have their chance to be heard, there needs to be a point at which we say no more,'' she said.
Windermere MLC Ivan Dean said George Town was in desperate need of the development and its promised 3000 jobs.
``I would be hung, drawn and quartered if I didn't support this legislation,'' Mr Dean said.
However, both Mr Dean and Ms Forrest said they had questions about the legislation.
``The government are going to have to stump up the information,'' Ms Forrest said.
Rosevears MLC Kerry Finch, who is up for election in May, said he had not changed his stance on the project and would vote against the extension.