All guns blazing over Tasmanian pulp mill

Greenies see red as federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull gives the go-ahead to Gunns pulp mill.

Turnbull's announcement comes after mounting pressure and criticism from Tasmanian Premier Paul Lennon who described the approval as "a win for science."  Lennon told media that: "There is no doubt in my mind that Mr Turnbull was looking for a way to stop this project from going ahead."

The premier may have welcomed the news, but 1000 protestors gathered at Tamar Beach with letters spelling out STOP THE PULP MILL! Bob McMahon, spokesperson for local action group Tasmanians Against the Pulp mill (TAP) said that membership and support for TAP had flourished as a result of the protest, with further action in the pipeline.

"We fully intend to stop the pulpmill whatever that might take," he said.

"You can look at the pulp mill as a scab on a very big sore; even if you pick the scab off the root causes are still there - the cosy relationship between one particular industry and government."

Analyst Brian Stafford of Industry Edge believes that Gunns holds the key to a bright future for both Australia and the paper industry.

"The pulp mill project and the opportunity it presents to install a large new long-term sustainable paper machine in Australia represent a enormous opportunity for the Australian manufacturing sector and our balance of payments and its failure would be extremely regrettable," he said.