The ABC’s Babs McHugh reports (27.5.16) on policy proposals from Labor and the Greens setting out stricter regulation of coal seam gas operations, aiming to better protect water resources in rural areas.
‘The Greens have welcomed a Labor policy on gas extraction, but say it is a replica of its policy from three years ago. If it wins the federal election, the ALP will amend so-called water trigger legislation to include all forms of unconventional gas.
‘The water trigger was introduced by the previous Labor government, giving the Federal Government power over the states to asses the impacts of coal seam gas (CSG) and coal mines on local water supplies.
‘It enshrined water as being of “national importance” and required projects to be subject to the scrutiny of an independent expert scientific group.’