MCA laments Victoria opposition party’s support for ban on onshore gas

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has slammed the Victorian opposition’s support of a ban on onshore gas developments, saying the party had been cowered by a political scare campaign.

“This is a weak, politically expedient decision that confirms the Victorian opposition has been captured by the same antiscience agenda as the Victorian government.

“It demonstrates the Victorian opposition seems equally willing to close off mainstream energy supply options and condemn Victorian households and industries to rely on part-time and expensive energy sources,” said MCA education and training director Gavin Lind.

The opposition party this week announced that it would back the state government’s Resources Legislation Amendment (Fracking Ban) Bill 2016, which was reintroduced to Parliament.

The Bill, if passed, will permanently ban all onshore unconventional gas exploration and development, including fracking and coal seam gas, and will extend the moratorium on conventional onshore gas exploration and development to June 30, 2020.

“Hydraulic fracturing is a known, safe and proven technology used in gas extraction in Queensland, South Australia and many jurisdictions overseas. Victorians deserve better than mainstream political parties that perpetuate ignorance and disregard for science and long-held experience,” Lind said on Friday.

“The federal government has correctly slammed state governments for failing to develop onshore gas supplies; now the alternative government in Victoria is showing a similar contemptuous disregard for Victorian businesses and consumers.”