The Greens NSW mining spokesperson, Jeremy Buckingham MLC, welcomed the NSW Labor Party's back flip on coal seam gas and their new found support for the Greens' policy and believes their position now makes it possible for his Coal Seam Gas Moratorium Bill to pass the Legislative Council.
"I'm very glad that John Robertson's Labor Party has listened to the scientists, farmers and the community and now backs a moratorium on coal seam gas in NSW," said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.
"The Labor Party's position now mirrors the Greens Coal Seam Gas Moratorium Bill, and I look forward to their support for the bill when it gets debated in the Legislative Council this Friday.
"Labor set the coal seam gas industry loose on NSW, but everyone is capable of redemption and the Greens welcome it.
"The O'Farrell Government has lost its Labor backstop on coal seam gas, and is now out on a political limb.
"With the Nationals drafting a blue print to deal with coal seam gas, it looks like they may support a moratorium very soon.
"A recent Galaxy poll showed 68% of Australians want a moratorium on coal seam gas. So do the NSW Farmers, the Greens, Lock the Gate Alliance, Alan Jones, Nature Conservation Council and now the NSW Labor Party. It's time for Barry O'Farrell to get onboard.
"With Labor's new position it will only take the Shooters Party or a couple of Nationals to cross the floor to see the Coal Seam Gas Moratorium Bill pass. If this happens, it will put a lot of local Coalition members in a difficult situation.
"The Liberal member for Campbelltown Brian Doyle, and Nationals such as George Souris from Upper Hunter and Kevin Anderson from Tamworth will face a lot of pressure to vote for a moratorium in the Lower House."
The Coal Seam Gas Moratorium Bill will be debated this Friday. Info on the bill is available here: http://www.jeremybuckingham.org/?page_id=147
No comments:
Post a Comment