People Power vs ANZ Bank and Gunns Pulp Mill

[Squawk]

http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/NoPulpMill&id=269

Contacts in Tassie tell me that Tasmanians are closing their ANZ bank accounts to protest the Gunns Pulp Mill to be built in northern Tassie.

Did a bit of an online search and found the link above - so far about 27,000 people have emailed the ANZ bosses protesting the possible financial backing from ANZ for the project.

I'm surprised there hasn't been a bit more national coverage on this one.

[Dutchy]

Why is it ANZ's fault?

[Squawk]

Why is it ANZ's fault?

Not fault per se - they have been approached by Gunns to finance the loan to build the thing.

[Dutchy]

well they are in business to lend money, cant see the problem.....you going to boycott the suppliers to the builders as well? in fact any business that has any relationship with the pulp mill would be boycotted also?

[Squawk]

In industrial relations the term used is a "secondary boycott". Something the unions have done for many years until it was legislated against (and this was pre-work choices). It's like a sympathy strike in that case.

In this case, it's about putting pressure on 'suppliers' and appealing to their corporate conscience first and their hip pockets next. If ANZ are profitting from the loan they are indirectly profitting from an investment that many Tasmanians object to.

Not advocating an opinion one way or the other - just offering some explanation.

[Leaping Lindner]

Good to see.

[TroyGFC]

Good on the people!! If customers get upset maybe then ANZ (or other business's) will learn that people are getting sick of the way our planet is being treated. People Power all the way, I would close my account too if had one!!

[Dutchy]

We all have shares in ANZ indirectly...so do we still want them to make no money?

Considering the Tassie government have approved the development are Tasmanians going to refuse to pay taxes also

[Leaping Lindner]

Actually I'm a bit of fan of Gunn's landscaping work. They are very thorough in what they do.



And the really good news is John Gay gets another payrise.

[Psyber]

We all have shares in ANZ indirectly...so do we still want them to make no money?

Considering the Tassie government have approved the development are Tasmanians going to refuse to pay taxes also

Yes I own ANZ shares, so I would definately say, "Don't boycott the bank, boycott paying taxes!"