Coal Seam Gas

Senator Larissa Waters moved:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

• (i) the concern expressed by regional communities about the impacts on food security and water resources from coal seam gas, shale gas and tight gas, and

• (ii) That the Federal Government has power to regulate the conduct of constitutional corporations, including corporations involved in coal seam gas, shale gas and tight gas mining; and

(b) agrees that:

• (i) food security and water resources should be prioritised over coal seam gas, shale gas and tight gas mining, and

• (ii) the Federal Government should use its constitutional powers to regulate the conduct of corporations undertaking coal seam gas, shale gas and tight gas mining.

Senator Fiona Nash made a reply statement:

I have consistently said that if there is going to be a negative impact on prime agricultural land then coal seam gas mining should not occur. The government opposes this motion. The government does not make policy on the run in response to Greens notices of motion in the Senate, and we will not dignify the Greens' cheap political stunt with our vote.