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CANBERRA - A decision on whether or not to allow a pulp mill in north-west Tasmania could decide the federal election, the new face of the anti-pulp mill campaign says.
Geoffrey Cousins, a wealthy businessman, has enlisted the support of more than 120 well-known personalities, including actors Bryan Brown, Cate Blanchett and Rachel Ward and playwright David Williamson, in his campaign against the mill.
The Tasmanian parliament is today expected to vote in favour of Gunns Limited's controversial pulp mill proposal for the Tamar Valley.
A yes vote would leave federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull the only barrier to a green light for the facility.
Mr Turnbull was due to make a decision on the mill yesterday but granted himself a 30 working days extension to consider the issue.
That could see the decision made during an election campaign, but as the government would be in caretaker mode, the coalition would have to gain support of Labor.
Mr Cousins says the government's decision is likely to influence the election result.
"(If) Mr Turnbull says that he would knock it back if he were to be the minister after the election, it is inconceivable, I would've thought, that Mr Garrett would say he would do otherwise," Mr Cousins told ABC radio today.
"And if he did, it would be pretty clear that Kevin Rudd had told him to do that and I frankly think that could swing the election."
Mr Cousins is expecting chief scientist Jim Peacock will advise the government not to support the mill.
"I'm informed by people who have been reviewing all the evidence that is going to the chief scientist very shortly that it's very much firming up against an approval of this mill, particularly in view of its likely impact on the marine environment."
- AAP
