Coal seam gasWell, debate in the Senate on Environment Minister Tony Burke’s so-called “water trigger” legislation continued yesterday without a voteThis is the legislation which will allow the Minister to take into account the effects on groundwater when considering whether to grant approval to coal seam gas mining projectsThe Greens were proposing 4 amendments to:give landholders a right to say no to mining on their landapply the water trigger to 4 coal seam gas projects which have already been approvedbroaden the water trigger to include shale and other gas mining as well as coal seam gas miningand ensure all matters of significance are considered by the Minister before granting mining approvalsBut Federal Cabinet decided last night to direct Labor Senators to vote against these amendmentsHowever, one Lower House amendment which is already part of the Bill, will outlaw bilateral agreements with the States under which the Commonwealth could refer its water trigger approval powers to the StatesThis amendment is an attempt to prevent any incoming Coalition Government from delegating responsibility for these decisions to the States as the Coalition has suggested it wants to doIt would have been preferable had the water trigger legislation included the Greens’ amendmentsBut, even without them, this Bill is better than nothingDebate in the Senate will resume todayLet’s hope a vote is taken and it is also passed today

The Alan Jones Breakfast show: Highlights

Advertisement