O’Farrell government flounders on coal seam gas exploration licences: to suspend or not to suspend?

Following a spot on ABC morning radio:

The New South Wales Government has been forced to pour cold water on the announcement by one of its ministers of a temporary halt to coal seam gas exploration.

Minister for Western New South Wales Kevin Humphries this morning flagged the need to suspend pilot well exploration while better regulations were developed.

But Resources and Energy Minister Chris Hartcher says the suspension will only apply to the operations of mining company Santos at Spring Ridge, in the state’s north-west.

Greens mining spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham responded in a statement saying “the Coalition is in complete disarray on coal seam gas.”