WA Labour leader ruffles industry feathers with fracking ban proposal

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (Appea) has condemned comments by Western Australian Labour leader Marc McGowen that he will ban hydraulic fracturing (fracking) across large parts of the state should he win state elections next year.

Citing the unique natural environment, high population density, land use patterns and deep aquifers in the South West, Peel region and the Perth metropolitan, McGowan said on Wednesday the Labour party would ban fracking as it posed an “unacceptable risk” to the farming and tourism industries in the area.

"Policy announcements before an election are often more about short-term politics than good policy in the public interest. Today's announcement is a case in point,” said Appea CEO Dr Malcolm Roberts.

“There is no environmental or public health and safety justification to ban fracking. That is not just the opinion of the industry, which has been safely using the technique in Western Australia since 1958 - it is the considered view of every reputable, independent scientific inquiry into fracking.

“Australia’s Chief Scientist, the New South Wales Chief Scientist and the CSIRO have all confirmed that, with proper regulation, the practice is safe. In Western Australia, a two-year Parliamentary inquiry reached the same conclusion just 11 months ago.”

Roberts said that contrary to dishonest fear campaigns by activists, fracking did not threaten water supplies.

“There has been no proven case of an aquifer being contaminated by fracking and the Western Australian Health Department says the process can be undertaken without compromising drinking water supplies.

“At a time when the Western Australian economy is struggling and unemployment is rising, it is disappointing to see Western Australian Labour choose short-term politics over regional jobs and investment.”

“Western Australia is a resource state, depending on its good reputation to attract investment to develop its natural resources. Gas is absolutely vital to its economy - as a high value export and as the major source of energy for local homes and businesses.

"Western Australia has a great opportunity to develop a safe onshore gas industry, which will create regional jobs, increase competition in the local gas market and fund new regional infrastructure. Such an opportunity should not be lightly sacrificed to short-term politics,” Roberts said.

Last month, the Northern Territory government imposed a moratorium on fracking, pending the outcome of an independent scientific inquiry into the practice. In Victoria, where a moratorium is currently in place, the state government has proposed a permanent ban on the exploration for, and development of, onshore unconventional gas in the state, including fracking and coal seam gas, following a 2015 Parliamentary inquiry.