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

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