Spotlight falls on sovereign risk deadline
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The sovereign risk agreement on the mill expires at the end of November. (ABC News: file photo)
The Tasmanian Government has given its first indication it will not extend the sovereign risk agreement for Gunns' proposed Bell Bay pulp mill.
The company's annual report released yesterday says it is still pursuing finance for the mill, raising questions about whether it will be able to find a backer before the agreement's November 30th deadline.
The Premier David Bartlett said he would not budge on the date, but industry analysts predict he might change his mind if Gunns is close to getting the mill financed.
Labor backbencher Lisa Singh says the Government position has been clear.
"The sovereign risk agreement has a deadline and the government's given that deadline to be the 30th of November I think, and that's where we stand as a government, the line has been drawn," Ms Singh said.
Earlier today, industry analyst Robert Eastment said he would not be surprised if the Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett altered the timeline.
Mr Eastment says if Gunns is close to securing finance, he would not be surprised if the Premier backs down.
"My feeling is that if it comes down to that critical stage and financing looks like it is all going to be successful, then I would be very surprised if Bartlett didn't find some way of, he may be the first politician to change his mind," Mr Eastment said.
