MEDIA RELEASE - 25 March 2014

The Greens NSW spokesperson on mining Jeremy Buckingham today slammed the Labor Party for putting their short term political interests over the interests of the people of the Central Coast.  Labor’s decision to join with the Coalition to vote down the Greens bill to protect the Central Coast drinking water catchment from mining means that any legislation that passes the parliament will be too late to stop the Wallarah 2 coal mine.

Labor joined with the Coalition and Shooters Party to vote against a motion to urgently debate and decide on the Central Coast Water Catchments Protection Bill 2014. The motion failed 32 votes to 5.

“Labor have stabbed the people of the Central Coast in the back by deciding it was more important to play politics than to pass legislation to stop the Wallarah 2 coal mine,” said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

“Labor intend to introduce almost identical legislation, but it will be too little and too late, as it will not be able to be debated until after the Planning Assessment Commission has made its decision – expected in April.  The earliest it could be debated is 6 May.

“The Greens bill would have enacted Barry O’Farrell’s promise to protect the Central Coast water catchment “no ifs, no buts, a guarantee”.

“Labor have blundered here and have let the Premier off the hook over his betrayal of a key election promise.   Labor are an ineffective opposition that are unable to hold the government to account.

“While the Labor and Liberal betray their promises, the Greens will continue to fight to protect the Central Coast water catchment and hold the Premier to his pre-election promise,” he said.

Contact: Max Phillips - 9230 2202 or 0419 444 916

Video footage of Barry O’Farrell delivering is ‘No ifs, no buts’ guarantee is available here.

Attachment 1: The Central Coast Drinking Water Catchments Protection (No ifs, no buts, a guarantee) Bill 2014

Attachment 2: Bill briefing note