The wide cross-section of political support that led to the passing of the coal seam gas moratorium Bill overnight in the NSW Legislative Council is a tremendous show of support for communities battling the Santos Narrabri gas project in the north west.
It is also a pledge of support for the CSG findings of NSW’s Chief Scientist, according to Lock the Gate Alliance.
The Bill, introduced by independent MLC Justin Field, passed the Upper House with the support of Labor, the Greens, the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party and the Animal Justice Party.
Lock the Gate NSW spokesperson Georgina Woods welcomed the passing of the Bill, and urged the Liberal and Nationals MPs to support the moratorium when it is debated in the Lower House.
“Last night’s debate made it clear that Bill is necessary in part because the Berejiklian Government has spectacularly failed to deliver its promise to implement the Chief Scientist’s recommendations for managing the risks of coal seam gas,” she said.
“Government members will now have to think carefully about where they stand. We urge them to hold faith with the NSW Chief Scientist’s recommendations and the farming communities fighting to protect groundwater from coal seam gas.
“If they had done that work, we do not believe Santos’ polluting Narrabri gasfield would still be threatening the Great Artesian Basin water recharge zone.
“As the parliament found earlier this year, the majority of the Chief Scientist’s recommendations on CSG are still not in place, so this polluting, toxic industry absolutely should not be allowed to continue in NSW.
“We’re enormously grateful to Justin Field for preparing this Bill, and working in the Upper House to secure its broad support and passage. The Labor Party, Shooters Fishers and Farmers, Greens and Animal Justice have kept faith with the community and the science and that has given us a great deal of hope.
“Farmers have spent more than a decade fighting this project, while also contending with the spirit crushing drought. It’s time for the NSW Government to support this Bill and keep its promises on coal seam gas.”