A change at the top of Gunns would produce win-win for Tasmania

The Wilderness Society Inc.
Media Release
16 March, 2010

Tasmania’s native forests would have a future and jobs at the company would be safer if there was a fundamental change at a Board level at Gunns Limited, The Wilderness Society’s executive director Alec Marr said today.
 
Mr Marr said reports that shareholders are seeking to remove chairman John Gay presented a golden opportunity to shift Gunns onto a more sustainable footing.
 
“A new generation of Board members would send a positive message about a more sustainable company and a commitment to protecting Tasmania’s valuable native forests would ensure the state’s clean, green image remains intact.
 
“It is encouraging to see that Gunn’s shareholders understand that Tasmania cannot have a healthy economy without a healthy environment.”
 
Mr Marr said the Wilderness Society is willing to work with a new Board of Gunns to reform its operations.
 
“A fundamental change at the top would present an important opportunity to end the conflict over forestry in Tasmania.
 
“Such a move would create a win-win outcome for jobs, Tasmania’s economy, the community and Tasmania’s valuable native forests.

“The Wilderness Society would support a new Board of Gunns that is willing to work constructively and in good faith to reform the logging operations of Gunns limited and build a social license with the whole community.”