The Australian Greens have secured recommendations against fracking and devolving federal environment protection in the Senate Inquiry report into the Queensland Government.
“Thanks to the Greens ensuring coal seam gas was part of the inquiry, the report recommends a ban on fracking, based on the alarming public evidence collected,” Senator Larissa Waters said.
“It’s frustrating that the Labor, Liberal and National senators on the committee failed to sign on to the recommendation against fracking after hearing about its dangerous impacts first hand through the Inquiry.
“It’s clear the Labor, Liberal and National parties’ apparent concern about coal seam gas in New South Wales is simply being feigned for the state election.
“The Greens have a bill in the federal Parliament that would implement the Inquiry’s recommendation by banning fracking.
“The Greens also ensured the scope of the Inquiry would cover the Abbott Government’s plan to gut national environment protection.
“As a result, the Inquiry report recommends strongly against Tony Abbott’s plan to hand federal environmental approval powers to the states.
“It was clear through the Inquiry that both the Newman and Bligh governments have let CSG run rampant, demonstrating why we need federal environment protection.
“The Inquiry report also calls for the Crime and Corruption Commission to be replaced by with an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) as in NSW.
“Time and time again throughout the Inquiry we heard allegations of corruption, including allegations surrounding in-kind donations accepted by the Newman Government from Sibelco before the extension of the Stradbroke Island sand mining lease.
“It’s clear that we need an ICAC and the Greens have a bill in the federal Parliament to achieve this at a national level.
“Thank you to all of the community groups and whistle-blowers who gave evidence at the Inquiry, despite the appalling reception they received from the Liberal and National senators,” Senator Waters said.
Contact – Abe O’Neill 0419 626 725
The inquiry report is available here: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Certain_Aspects_of_Queensland_Government_Administration/Certain_Aspects_Qld_Admin/Report
The Australian Greens additional comments are at page 39 of the inquiry report.
