THE state’s peak oil and gas industry group has slammed Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell’s move to secure a decade-long legislative ban on fracking in the South East as “politically motivated”.
Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association South Australia (APPEA) director Matthew Doman said the State Government’s current moratorium was very clear in its policy.
“We would ask for a consistent approach to this, we do not like the policy of course, but the Liberal Party has been consistent in this, including in the manner it has been implemented,” he said.
“They have implemented the policy and we think that is where it ends.
“Attempts to play politics with this issue are regrettable.
“Troy supported the Liberal Party’s policy when he was a Liberal Party member and he is now taking a different stance as an independent.”
Mr Bell has indicated he will introduce amendments to state legislation to provide further assurance the existing moratorium remains in place for 10 years and will take parliamentary approval to overturn.
The move has been welcomed by the Limestone Coast Protection Alliance, which has long called for a legislative ban on the practice to provide legal weight to the ministerial moratorium.
In opposing the measure, Mr Doman reiterated the industry’s long history in the region, adding there were “no companies planning to use fracking in the South East”.
“Our industry’s focus is continuing conventional gas, which we have done in the South East for 60 years,” he said.
“80 wells have been drilled in the last 60 years in the South East.”
Mr Bell rebuffed Mr Doman’s comments, saying he had held a consistent view on legally banning unconventional gas exploration and development as both a Liberal Party member and an independent.
“I called for a 10-year ban on fracking and the only way you can do that is to legislate it,” he said.
“I respect Matt Doman’s job is to stick up for and defend the mining industry, but my job is to stand up for the people of the South East.”
A Beach Energy spokesperson said the company’s focus in the region was solely on the rejuvenation of conventional gas development in the region, “none of which requires fracking”.
“As such, the moratorium does not impact our plans to develop a clean and reliable source of energy for the state,” the spokesperson said.
South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy chief executive Rebecca Knol said the peak body was “watching the development with interest”.
