MEDIA RELEASE – 15 September 2011

The Greens mining spokesperson, Jeremy Buckingham MLC, has congratulated the community for their response and engagement with the NSW Upper House Inquiry into coal seam gas with more than 800 submissions being lodged.

“The significant public response to the inquiry should be a wake up call for the government to take this inquiry and the issue of coal seam gas very seriously,” said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

“Over 800 submissions have been received and they will be placed on the Committee’s website for the public to read over the next week.

“Coal seam gas has rightly become a matter of major public debate in NSW, and the interest in this parliamentary inquiry reflects the importance of the debate.

“NSW must choose whether to grant the coal seam gas industry a social licence to operate.  Until the Inquiry has reported, the coal seam gas industry should be put on hold,” he said.

Contact: Max Phillips – 9230 2202  or  0419 444 916