LABOR parliamentarians Clare Scriven and Kyam Maher have “sold out” the people of Mount Gambier by opposing a 10-year ban on fracking in the Limestone Coast, Treasurer Rob Lucas said.
The bill to enshrine a decade-long ban on the gas extraction process passed in the state’s upper house yesterday afternoon, with Ms Scriven speaking against the bill.
Ms Scriven said the Labor Party’s opposition to the bill was rooted in “the principle that scientists are the best people to make decisions about scientific matters”.
“It is about confidence in South Australia’s regulatory system,” she said.
“The former Labor Government had a policy to abide by the independent recommendations of highly-qualified scientists, as part of the stringent regulatory system that exists in South Australia.”
“For the very reason we do have confidence in that stringent regulatory system, we will oppos the bill.”
Mr Lucas took aim at Ms Scriven and South East counterpart Kyam Maher for driving the “very strong position of the Labor Party” in not supporting the bill.
“The fact Clare Scriven has stood up in the chamber today as the official spokesperson of the Labor Party and put the very strong position of the Labor Party opposing this piece of legislation is just so extraordinarily disappointing to the very many friends and acquaintances I have in Mount Gambier,” he said.
“On this critical issue, the people of Mount Gambier and surrounding areas feel so strongly about, the members of the Labor Party Kyam Maher and Clare Scriven have just sold out the people of Mount Gambier.
“It will be to their cost when they return to Mount Gambier and try to defend their position in relation to this particular issue.”
Independent MP Troy Bell, who initially introduced the bill to parliament, echoed Mr Lucas’ comments, saying it was disappointing Ms Scriven had supported Labor’s policy.
“She put her own party before her community,” he said.
“Despite that, I am really happy about today’s result.
“You really have to know how to negotiate with the government to be able to achieve things.”
Mr Lucas addressed criticisms by Greens MLC Mark Parnell, who in July attempted to introduce a similar bill to the Legislative Council, which was ultimately voted down by the Liberal and Labor parties.
He said the government had been persuaded by arguments by both Mr Bell and other members of the Mount Gambier community.
“There is a new government in town, it has a new approach to conducting itself and conducting its business and Mr Parnell will have to adapt his lobbying activities to a new regime,” he said.
“We are always open to sitting down and having those grown-up, adult conversations with Mr Parnell and all other crossbenchers. ”
The legislated moratorium will begin in approximately two weeks.
