Coal Seam Gas

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, which means that it was unsuccessful.

Wording of the motion

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the Federal Government has approved coal seam gas mining in the Pilliga Forest near Narrabri in New South Wales, with Santos planning to develop an 850-well field,

(ii) the Pilliga Push is an ongoing civil disobedience campaign against this mining led by the Gamilaraay and Gomeroi peoples, the Knitting Nannas and other grassroots action groups in New South Wales, and

(iii) the Narrabri coal seam gas project presents an unacceptable risk to the region's groundwater and the Great Artesian Basin; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to:

(i) condemn the New South Wales Police Force's use of pepper spray against the protesters, and

(ii) withdraw its approval of the Narrabri coal seam gas project.