Lock the Gate Alliance has accused the Federal Government of blackmailing state governments to force them to accept fracking, after Treasurer Scott Morrison threatened to cut GST to states unless they accept gas exploration.
“This is an outrageous move by the Federal Government to blackmail state and territory governments into accepting fracking, regardless of the devastating impact it will have on farmland and water resources,” said Georgina Woods from Lock the Gate Alliance.
“The Turnbull Government is effectively threatening to short-change schools and hospitals in their fervour to give gas fracking giants access to every last square inch of Australia.
“We will be asking for urgent advice as to whether it is lawful for the government to subvert the proper return of tax dollars to states in order to pursue a blatantly political agenda to promote multinational fracking companies.
“This is yet another example of the fracking industry undermining our democratic institutions – even the fair distribution of GST dollars is now being hopelessly compromised by the debasement of our democracy to fossil fuel interests.
“These actions will only make communities across Australia more determined to stand together and defend our land and water against an industry which has no social licence to operate.
“Australians well know that the future is in renewable energy and battery storage, and a strong, value-added agricultural sector, not dangerous and unnecessary fracking,” she said.
