C’mon ANZ, don’t finance forest destruction in Tasmania
Green Media Release 12th December 2007
Green Party Co-Leader Russel Norman today called on ANZ customers help to put pressure on the ANZ banking group to not
provide finance for forest destruction in Tasmania.
ANZ is currently developing their 'Forest Policy' and considering whether or not to invest or not in Gunns' proposed
pulp mill in Tasmania.
“The proposed pulp mill in the Tamar Valley, Tasmania, will lock in the destruction of irreplaceable native Australian
forests, as well as releasing huge stores of greenhouse gases and contaminants into local water catchments,” said Dr
Norman outside the ANZ branch on Manners Mall, Wellington.
“I’m proud to be part of the second Australasian-wide day of action, with 25 events happening across Australia, Japan
and New Zealand calling on ANZ not to fund the proposed pulp Mill in Tasmania.
“It is extraordinary that, while the world is watching the Bali climate change conference, ANZ is considering adding to
greenhouse emissions by financing a massively destructive pulp mill.
“ANZ needs to take its corporate responsibility seriously and not finance forest destruction but rather encourage Gunns
to develop a pulp mill that is totally chlorine-free and 100% plantation-based in an appropriate location.
Bob Brown, leader of the Australian Greens says, "ANZ has a fantastic opportunity to behave as a good corporate citizen.
It must take a strong stance against bankrolling the disastrous proposed Tasmanian mill, and refuse to support the
unsustainable and illegal logging of rainforests in Papua New Guinea."
ANZ are also the focus of a Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand campaign to halt funding forest destruction in Papua New
Guinea by Rimbunan Hijau.
“By financially supporting unsustainable and illegal logging in Papua New Guinea, ANZ is failing as a good corporate
citizen and its customers should be aware of this”.
“C’mon ANZ, it’s not too late to develop a sustainable banking policy”.
Notes
The ANZ banking group has been banker for Gunns Limited, Australia’s largest integrated hardwood forests product company
since 1995. It recently released a line of credit to the company of $1.5 billion. In addition, the ANZ is currently
considering financing Gunns’s controversial pulp mill in the Tamar Valley, despite inadequate assessment including no
studies on the impact of logging on forests or climate change.
ANZ's position statements on Gunns's pulp mill, PNG forest destruction and climate change are available at:
www.anz.com.au/current
ENDS