Labor should extend CSG ban to other areas of NSW

MEDIA RELEASE - 29 September 2014

The Greens NSW mining spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham today called on the Labor Party to extend their unconventional gas ban in the Northern Rivers to the rest of NSW, or risk looking like they are playing cynical electoral politics that will be reversed once they are back in government.

“While the Greens welcome the Labor announcement banning unconventional gas in specific North Coast council areas, it is disappointing that Labor are making their coal seam gas policy based on cynical electoral politics rather than basic principles of protecting land, water and communities everywhere in NSW,” said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

“Labor were the party that unleashed coal seam gas across a third of NSW by issuing 39 exploration licences when they were last in office.

“The Greens policy is clear – we are opposed to unconventional gas everywhere and support a rapid transition to clean, renewable energy.

“The people of the Northern Rivers understand just how toxic this industry is and are united with other communities around NSW to oppose coal seam gas, he said.

“Can Labor be trusted not to reverse this ban once the election is over?

“It’s unfortunate that several prominent for former Labor ministers have joined the gas industry.  Former federal resources minister, Martin Ferguson is now chair of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), while former climate change minister Greg Combet and trade minister Craig Emerson, are now lobbying for AGL and Mr Combet recently described himself as “having always been fossil fuels man”.

Contact: Max Phillips - 9230 2202 or 0419 444 916

One comment

  • Christopher Robertson

    What is the price for a NSW politician now? If I remember Ian MacDonald got a job with the thoroughbred industry after parliament and the EI scare was over. I wonder which horse industry brought EI in to Australia, not hard to guess.

    Like

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