SHAM MINERAL EXPLORATION CONSULTATONS GROSSLY UNJUST
Minister Must Review Legislation
The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Resources Minister Bryan Green MP to justify why individuals and community groups are being forced to pay costs for simply responding to a publicly advertised consultation process for new mineral exploration licence applications.
Greens Mining spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP described as “grossly unjust” the recent awarding of costs against the Tarkine National Coalition, after its objections to two new mining exploration licences in the Tarkine were dismissed by the Mining Tribunal.
Mr O’Halloran welcomed Minister Green’s undertaking in Parliament today to investigate this situation.
“The Department placed advertisements in newspapers notifying individuals or groups that they had 28 days to object to these two exploration licences,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“The Mining Tribunal later dismissed the Tarkine National Coalition’s objection on grounds it did not own the property in question, and the Director of Mines subsequently instructed the DPP to pursue costs which were then awarded.”
“Is it really the Department’s practice to call for objections to mining licence applications only to pursue costs against anyone who dares to take up the call?”
“The Minister must also explain why it is not misleading and disingenuous for the Department to call for objections over mining leases on Crown Land when only the State would have a proprietary interest.”
“These are disgraceful actions by the Department that will act as a deterrent to full and open public participation in any future consultations. The Minister must rule out that this was the intention.”
“The Greens warned the Minister some time ago that community groups can be caught by this process, and he must now commit to reviewing the relevant legislation to ensure that it cannot happen again.”
• GREENS MOVE FOR STATE MORATORIUM ON COAL SEAM GAS
Kim Booth MP
Greens Primary Industries spokesperson
The Tasmanian Greens today have called for a state moratorium on coal seam gas exploration or mining, until there is scientific evidence confirming it does not pose a risk to water supplies, human health or the environment.
Greens Primary Industries spokesperson Kim Booth MP said there is growing national concerns over the potential negative impact of coal seam gas (CSG), with the New South Wales parliament considering a moratorium Bill, and the National Party also releasing a policy calling for caution on the matter.
“There is growing concern about the impact of CSG, otherwise known as ‘fracking’ upon local communities and the environment, to the point that even the National Party has released a cautious policy position,” Mr Booth said.
“Fracking poses serious threats to groundwater and surface water supplies, prime agricultural land, and concern is also growing about potential health impacts.”
“This of course also damages the economy to a far greater extent than any short term gain and leaves a toxic legacy for the next generation to deal with.”
“A recent national Galaxy Poll conducted in August, found that 68 per cent of those polled want a moratorium on the CSG industry to be implemented, and the NSW Parliament currently has a Greens Bill before it seeking to do so.”
“The Tasmanian Greens also believe that we should implement a state-based moratorium on CSG exploration or mining until there is scientific evidence that this industry does not pose threats to our water quality or quantity, our health or our environment,” Mr Booth said.
Galaxy Poll Reference, 26 August 2011: http://greensmps.org.au/webfm_send/585
Text of Motion tabled today by Kim Booth MP:
That this House notes:
1. Growing public concern nationally over the impact of Coal Seam Gas mining, otherwise known as ‘fracking’, upon the environment and communities;
2. That the NSW Greens’ Coal Seam Gas Moratorium Bill is currently before the NSW State Parliament;
3. That the NSW Labor Party has recently released a new coal seam gas policy which mirrors the key provisions of the NSW Greens’ Moratorium Bill;
4. A recent Galaxy poll shows that 68% of Australians want a moratorium on coal seam gas;
5. Further, that this House notes with interest that while the Greens have consistently been on the public record warning about these risks, others now raising their voices in concern include the National Party, who have recently released a policy position on coal seam gas mining, which state that this practice should not be allowed in areas where it poses a significant risk to the quality of groundwater or surface water systems, calls for the protection of prime agricultural land, and should not occur close to existing residential areas; and
6. This House agrees to implement a Tasmanian moratorium on coal seam gas exploration and mining, until there is scientific evidence that coal seam gas does not impact upon water quality and quantity, human health or the environment.
• MINISTER MUST NOT SELL OUT TASMANIANS OVER COAL SEAM GAS
Greens Call for Public Consultation before National Policy Ministerial Meeting
Kim Booth MP
Greens Energy Spokesperson
The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Minister for Energy to detail the position he will be taking on behalf of Tasmanians to an upcoming meeting between Federal and State Energy Ministers over regulations for the coal seam gas industry.
Greens Energy spokesperson Kim Booth MP called on the Minister to ensure that all Tasmanians get to have a say on any proposed plans for coals seam gas regulations for Tasmania and warned the public to be wary of plans to “harmonise regulations” with the unenviable state of Queensland.
Mr Booth also said that the Greens have called for a state Moratorium on coal seam gas exploration and mining and the Minister should be tabling that position to the December national meeting.
“The upcoming meeting between state and federal energy ministers to “harmonise” regulations between Australian states is clearly a tactic of the powerful coal seam gas industry to undermine the rights of the Australian and Tasmanian public to object to their land being poisoned by the toxic chemicals used in a practice known as ‘fracking’ commonly used in coal seam gas mining.’”
“The Minister needs to be clear with Tasmanians as to whether he is planning on representing Tasmanian farmers, the community and the safety of our environment or the coal seam gas industry at the upcoming meeting.”
“A recent Galaxy poll of 1,048 people shows 68 per cent of Australians support a moratorium on coal seam gas until the full health and environmental impacts of disrupting water aquifers are known.”
“This upcoming ministerial meeting must not change legislation behind the backs of Tasmanians who have the right to be have a say over the future of their land and the safety of their drinking water.”
“Even though there are no development applications current in Tasmania, it won’t be long before a proposal is put on the table.”
“In Tasmania there is virtually nothing a landowner can do to prevent exploration and development of coal seam gas projects on their property, which is an outrageous situation.”
“Yesterday, the Tasmanian Greens called on the House to do the only sensible thing which is to agree to implement a Tasmanian moratorium on coal seam gas exploration and mining, until there is scientific evidence that coal seam gas does not impact upon water quality and quantity, human health or the environment.”
“This is not about being anti-industry, it’s about supporting Tasmanian farmers and ensuring the security of the state’s food.”
