Queensland Party calls for a moratorium on coal seam gas

The Leader of The Queensland Party and Member for Beaudesert, Aidan McLindon, has called for a moratorium on coal-seam gas exploration on farming property and in areas where drinking water may be affected. Mr McLindon said that the discovery of the cancer-causing agent benzene in three wells near Mackay increased the need to proceed with caution and to put people’s lives and livelihoods before the interests of mining companies.

In a press release from the Queensland Party, Mr McLindon says: 

While I support the expansion of the industry in Queensland, it has to be done in a safe manner that ensures drinking water is safe, and that prime farming land is not destroyed.

As many farmers and concerned Queenslanders are pointing out, rushing into these developments without proper safeguards may not be the in the best interests of our state.

The Queensland Party and the independents were the only MPs in Parliament who supported a moratorium on coal-seam gas exploration when a division was called to amend the Geothermal Energy Bill 2010. The LNP, once again, rolled over.

I have had farmers contacting me in tears concerned for their future livelihoods over this issue, yet the major parties have ignored them.

The LNP, in particular, have sold out their true believers – the Queensland famer in regional Queensland – to please the mining companies that fund them. They have put aside their duty as the opposition to hold the government to account and instead voted with the ALP, as they too often do.

In the meantime, the Queensland farmer is suffering and their lives and livelihood are at risk. The Queensland Party will stand up for them and continue to call for a moratorium until it is certain that there will be no long-term adverse environmental impact from the coal-seam gas industry and genuine consultation has taken place with landowners.

Six Degrees are also calling for a moratorium on all future CSG activities until an independent peer-reviewed investigation into the long-term environmental, social and infrastructure consequences of the CSG industry in Queensland is undertaken.

What can you do? 

• Sign the petition for a moratorium here.
• Support the farmers and landholders 'Locking the Gate' to mining companies.
• Join the National Lock the Gate Alliance here.
• Stay in touch with us to find out more.