News Flash: Political opposition to Fracking galvanizes in Australia
From the ABC online, August 30, 2016
VICTORIA
Victorian unconventional gas exploration ban to end fracking and CSG extraction
Excerpt
The Victorian Government is introducing legislation to permanently ban exploration and development of unconventional gas in the state, including coal seam gas and fracking.
Key points:
Legislation will permanently ban development, production of all unconventional gas in Victoria
Moratorium on conventional gas extraction to be extended until 2020
Government says ban will protect Victoria’s agriculture sector
The legislation “” the first of its kind in Australia “” will be introduced into State Parliament later this year.
Premier Daniel Andrew said the ban would protect the reputation of Victoria’s agriculture sector and alleviate farmers’ concerns about environmental and health risks associated with hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking.
“We’ve listened to the community and we’re making a decision that puts farmers and our clean, green brand first,” he said.
The legislation will also extend the moratorium on conventional onshore gas until 2020, but offshore gas exploration and development will continue.
The Government said the decision, which responds to a parliamentary inquiry, acknowledged the risks involved outweighed any potential benefits.
The inquiry last year failed to reach a consensus on whether to implement a temporary or permanent ban on the sector, instead recommending further studies be undertaken, including a review into the potential human health impacts.
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AND from ABC Rural, August 29, 2016:
THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
Landslide victory for NT Labor brings moratorium on fracking, water licence review
Excerpt
Hydraulic fracturing and water policy were among the key issues for regional voters as they delivered a landslide election to the Northern Territory Labor Party at the weekend.
Media player: “Space” to play, “M” to mute, “left” and “right” to seek.
Audio: Tom Stockwell, Shenal Basnayake and Matthew Doman speak about the election result. (ABC Rural)
The CLP Government was dramatically removed with Labor winning many seats, particularly in regional areas.
Labor had promised a moratorium on fracking until it could hold an independent review of the controversial shale oil and gas extraction method.
Chief Minister-elect Michael Gunner said given the strong support his party received from bush voters, the moratorium would proceed and compensation not offered to explorers.
“I’ve had plenty of conversations with industry and compensation is not on the table,” Mr Gunner said.
“When you take an exploration licence you take it for what you do with the exploration, there’s no guarantee beyond that of activity so compensation isn’t on the table as part of our discussions.”
First indication of timeframe for policy
Mr Gunner said a decision on the future of fracking in the NT would be made in this term of government.
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