Coal Seam Gas

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Greens Senator Larissa Waters. This means that the motion was rejected.

The motion was:

That the Senate-

(a) notes that:

_(i) no coal seam gas projects or coal mines have been assessed under Australia's national environment laws for their impacts on the climate or water resources, and_(For more information about coal seam gas, see here. )

(ii) there is huge concern about the impacts of coal seam gas and coal mines in the Australian community, particularly within farming communities that depend on scarce water resources; and

_(b) calls on the Government to retrospectively apply its proposed water trigger and re-assess all projects approved under the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities ( Mr Burke)._

Background to the motion

The 'water trigger' referred to in the motion is contained in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill 2013.(Read more about the bill here. More information about the water trigger is available in its bills digest (750 KB).) It is activated when coal seam gas or large mining developments are likely to have a significant impact on a water resource.

References