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[Header in purple in beside a stamp in the same ink]

Premier of Tasmania

Hobart

13 October 1982

[in black ink, typewritten]

Dear Mr Carlton,

I am writing to you because of my Government's increasing concern at the distortions and misrepresentations being made on the mainland by some of the people opposed to Tasmania’s decision to build the Gordon below Franklin power scheme.

It’s no secret that the power scheme has been subject to widespread debate both in Tasmania and on the mainland. No project in the State's history has had more detailed public scrutiny. The environmental and financial aspects in particular have been investigated with great thoroughness. At the recent State election, the dam was a key issue. Both the Liberal Party and the ALP believed it must be built and campaigned on that basis.

As a result of the election, my government believes it has a firm directive from the Tasmanian people to proceed with the construction. The enabling legislation was supported in the State Parliament by both major Parties, and only three of the 54 members of the two Houses voted against it.

Having clearly lost in Tasmania – and it's fair to say the scheme is no longer and issue in this State – the conservationists have instead carried their campaign to the mainland. In particular, they have been lobbying the Federal Senators and Members in their attempts to prevent the scheme getting underway. Their campaign has been based on three total fabrications: that Tasmania does not need the scheme; that it will destroy the South-West wilderness area; and that the scheme will be paid for by mainland taxpayers.

There is no doubt that Tasmanians need the dam. Hydro produced power is the State's only economic source of electricity. Unlike other States, we gave no oil or gas reserve, and only limited amount of coal which is contained in narrow seams. To deny Tasmania use of its hydro potential is equivalent to denying Victoria use of its Yallourn Valley coal deposits.

More than two-thirds of the new scheme's electricity will be used in homes, small businesses and offices. The remaining one-third will be allocated to major industries. As you may know, Tasmania has by far the highest unemployment in the nation – around 10 per cent – and without adequate electricity supplies we will never be able to attract industry to provide the jobs Tasmanians need.

Those opposed to the power development have also made totally dishonest claims about the environmental aspects of the scheme. Most of the scenes of the Franklin River you see on television will not be affected. They are upstream from the dam site and will remain

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untouched. Less than one-third of the Franklin River and less than one per cent of the total South-West area will be affected. The spectacular gorges and the famed Irenabyss area – which is 40 km upstream from the closest point of the new lake – will be retained in their beautiful natural state. Further, the Franklin is not Tasmania’s last wild river – and even that part of it to be flooded is not the 'wild' part.

I should also make it clear that the full cost of the scheme – estimated at $453 million, not $1,000 million as the conservationists are claiming – will be met by Tasmanian electricity consumers. The scheme will not cost taxpayers of other States a single cent. The development is to be wholly financed from the Hydro Electric Commission's internal funds from its borrowings in Australia and overseas. Repayments of principal and interest will be met from revenue from the sale of electricity.

Finally, I would again point out that Tasmanians overwhelmingly support the scheme. It has been endorsed by the State's Parliament, and the State Government intends to proceed. As the Prime Minister and Federal Ministers have said time and again: it is a decision for Tasmania to take.

I urge you not to be misled by the untruthful claims being made on the mainland. If you would like to come to Tasmania to see the scheme for yourself and to see the way in which other hydro electric developments – including Lake Pedder – have been successfully handled please let me know. We would be only too pleased to make arrangements so you can form your own judgement.

Yours sincerely,

[handwritten signature]

(Robin Gray)

PREMIER

Hon. J.J. Carlton, M.H.R.

C/- Parliament House

CANBERRA ACT 2600

[handwritten note]

Acknowledge & thank.