MEMBER for Mount Gambier Troy Bell has warned the State Government to back a legislative moratorium on fracking in the South East or face potential voter backlash in the region.
Earlier this week, the independent MP foreshadowed a private member’s bill seeking amendments to the Petroleum and Geothermal (Energy) Act to enshrine a 10-year moratorium on unconventional gas exploration in law.
Although the State Liberal Government has implemented a Cabinet-approved embargo on the practice, Mr Bell has long championed for a legislative prohibition to safeguard the region.
In Thursday’s sitting of parliament, Mr Bell, who was instrumental in the adoption of a fracking ban policy while a member of the Liberal Party, cautioned his former colleagues to honour their pre-election commitment and support his motion.
“The rarest commodity in politics is trust,” he said.
“If you say you are going to do something, then you need to do it.
“Once trust is lost, it is very difficult and a long road to get it back.”
Mr Bell urged the government against taking the advice of ex-mining minister Tom Koutsantonis, who in Tuesday’s sitting of parliament labelled the cabinet-approved moratorium as as “mistake”.
“If you listen to the member for West Torrens, and start taking his advice, you are heading down the wrong path,” Mr Bell said.
“If you honestly believe the member for West Torrens has you or the Liberal Party’s best interests at heart, then you must also believe in the tooth fairy and father Christmas.
“The member is trying to wedge the Liberal Party, because he knows this will be a broken promise and the consequences will tell.”
Mr Bell cited impending changes to electoral boundaries at the 2022 election, which will decrease the Liberal Party’s statewide majority, before saying fracking was likely to become an election issue.
Limestone Coast Protection Alliance chair Angus Ralton applauded the independent MPs move to give legal weight to the Liberal Government’s moratorium.
He said the Northern Territory Government’s recent backflip on an election commitment to a fracking ban further reinforced the need for a genuine commitment in the form of legislation.
“We’re really happy that he is putting pressure and moving forward with the issue and we look forward to working with Troy to make sure we get our moratorium legislated,” he said.
“We also look forward to working with the Liberal Party and Nick McBride on the position, because they were elected to put a 10-year moratorium in place.
“To not legislate the moratorium would leave it more susceptible to be overturned, especially given the fact there are two election cycles in that period.
“We need it enshrined in legislation because we need that certainty that our region remains clean and green.”
Energy and Mining Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan said he was committed to “respectfully examining” Mr Bell’s proposed legislation, but said it may not improve the protections extended under the existing moratorium.
“The Marshall Liberal Government moved immediately to implement its election promise to establish a 10 year ban on fracking in the South East,” he said.
“The Marshall Government will not even consider a resources application that includes fracking in the South East.
“The State Government does not have a majority in the Upper House and as a consequence any Bill to establish a moratorium on fracking would require negotiations with the cross benches who may seek to water down the legislation.”
Last month, Greens SA Upper House leader Mark Parnell dismissed earlier claims made by the government about potential legislative dilution.
Mr Parnell said he and Legislative Council colleague Tammy Franks would support a ban and additionally push for stronger laws against gas exploration.
