Greens Larissa Waters called on the Australian Senate to endorse a moratorium on new coal seam gas approvals until the facts could be ascertained about the long-term impacts of the industry. A recent poll indicates the majority of Australians support this call. But once more our parliament proves it is out of step, with Liberals, Nationals, and ALP banding together to reject Waters’ motion:
Senator WATERS (Queensland) (15:49): I move:
That the Senate calls on the Government to implement an
immediate moratorium on any new coal seam gas approvals
until the long-term impacts of the industry on our
groundwater, agriculture, rural communities, threatened
species, the climate and the Great Barrier Reef are known.
Question put.The Senate divided. [15:50]
Ayes …………………. 9
Noes…………………. 41
Majority ……………. 32Question negatived
Senator Waters said after the defeat that Australians have a right to feel betrayed, (emphasis my own):
“Labor and Liberals have joined the Nationals to sell out the bush,” Senator Waters said.
“As the old parties were turning a blind eye to community concerns about this risky industry in voting down my motion, yet another dangerous leaking coal seam gas well was being investigated by Queensland authorities.
“How many more leaking pipes, wells and polluted aquifers will it take before the Government and Opposition start listening to the Australian public?
“It’s time they unblock their ears and take the dollar signs out of their eyes, and put a moratorium on coal seam gas until we can be sure we’re not jeopardising our food security and the future of our rural communities.”
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