Community unites against fracking

The Tasmanian Greens today commended the committee of the newly formed ‘Our Tasmania’ who are vowing to take on the gas mining industry to prevent fracking from occurring in Tasmania.

Greens Member for Lyons, Tim Morris MP, last night attended a public meeting in Oatlands where expert guest speakers spoke about the environmental, social, economic and legal implications of fracking before local community leaders announced that they would be forming an organisation to meet the issue head on.

“There is an inspired feeling of determination amongst the people of the Midlands, any company that thinks they are going to be drilling for hydrocarbons in the area will have a definite fight on their hands,” said Mr Morris.

“The newly formed Our Tasmania will have local farmer Brett Hall as president and its committee includes a formidable panel of people that represent the diversity of the Midlands region.”

“Last night’s meeting, which featured experts from interstate, was attended by over 90 people, all of which indicated their opposition to the prospect of fracking.”

“There were farmers, local business owners and parents all concerned about the futures of their communities and once again PetraGas and Minister for Resources Bryan Green respectfully declined to directly engage with these people.”

“If Bryan Green really had Tasmanian farmers’ interests at heart then he would have put a moratorium on exploration and production licenses for gas mining until the farmers and community could properly assess the risks from this industry.”

“A hugely valuable result of last night’s meeting was the presence of the interstate experts who addressed most of the issues in detail, people came away feeling informed.”

“I’m calling on both Labor and Liberal parties to also have the gumption to actually front this community, and tell them where they stand on farmers having the right to say no fracking on or under their farms.”

“It’s disappointing that the Parliament cannot offer more support to these people. Both Labor and the Liberals seem blinkered to discussing the issue in any meaningful way, but the Greens will continue to provide as much support as possible,” Mr Morris said.
Tim Morris MP Greens Member for Lyons