Frack Free Tas are asking Tasmanian food and beverage producers that rely on our clean Tasmanian brand to pledge their support for a legislated permanent ban on fracking in Tasmania.
The pledge is on our webpage: http://frackfreetas.org/business-support-pledge/
This pledge is simply asking for Tasmania to join the long list of jurisdictions that have banned fracking and other elements of unconventional mining.
“The days of governments and industry being able to pretend this practice can be done safely are long gone” said Frack Free Tas President Shaun Thurstans.
Concerns are not just being expressed by informed communities. The Farmers and Graziers, Wine Tasmania and Dairy Tas all made submissions to the fracking review expressing concern, pointing to experiences on the mainland.
“The Liberal Hodgman government held a Mickey Mouse review in 2014. They got an overwhelming opposition to it, but instead of making a decision, called a moratorium till 2020 and promised another review, so the next parliament has to face this question once again. Meanwhile more and more places ban the practice, including Victoria, with support from Liberal and National party MPs.”
The parties and candidates for the upcoming Tasmanian state election need to commit whether they support a permanent ban or not. We are asking producers to stand together to deliver an economic message to MPs and candidates.
“Are they going to take this opportunity to strengthen our brand and support those farmers and businesses thriving on the premium Tasmania brand? ” – Shaun Thurstans.
The pledge text:
‘Our business is reliant on the premium Tasmanian Brand, which is underpinned by clean land, water and air. We support a legislated permanent ban on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the State of Tasmania. This mining technology has proven to have too high a risk of contamination of our water, air and soil. Because of these risks, any fracking in our state will affect our brand, and therefore, our business and prosperity.
Fracking is incompatible with our economy, our health and our lifestyles.
Please ban it now.’
Shaun Thurstans, President, Frack Free Tas inc.
