THE new Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP for Barwon has wasted no time turning rhetoric into action, offering to support a moratorium on all coal seam gas projects.
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Roy Butler wrestled the seat from the Nationals at the weekend, and said any risks to groundwater from mining had to be thoroughly examined before being permitted.
His party is prepared to support a private member's bill by Labor's Adam Searle, which proposes to place a moratorium on all coal seam gas mining until scientific and environmental studies are complete.
"There are towns in my electorate that are totally reliant on artesian water, especially while there is no rain," Mr Butler said.
"If it wasn't for the groundwater, these towns would no longer exist. I will do whatever it takes to protect it."
Shooters' MLC leader Robert Borsak said the party's position on coal seam gas had "been crystal clear for many years".
"We oppose any new coal seam gas exploration until the 16 recommendations of the NSW Chief Scientist are met," he said.
"We support the ban on coal seam gas exploration on prime agricultural land and anywhere water supply could be threatened."
Lock the Gate has welcomed the party's stance and said the weekend's result showed the community's opposition to CSG.
"The NSW government should use this election result as a clear mandate to stop it," a spokeswoman said.
"The National candidate was the only serious Barwon contender not to oppose the Narrabri gas project."
Jamieson Murphy
Newcastle Herald news director and business reporter. Interested in any and all yarns. Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Newcastle Herald news director and business reporter. Interested in any and all yarns. Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@austcommunitymedia.com.au
