MEMBERS of the Limestone Coast Protection Alliance have lashed out at Labor parliamentarians Clare Scriven and Kyam Maher for not backing the demands of the South East in parliament.
The pair, who are the region’s sole representatives in the state’s 22-member upper house, voted along party lines to shoot down Greens’ MLC Mark Parnell’s bill to legislate the decade-long moratorium on fracking.
Limestone Coast Protection Alliance chair Angus Ralton said he was disappointed with the pair’s silence on the issue.
“It is really sad that two people that had the opportunity to protect the South East in the upper house actively abdicated their role in doing that,” he said.
“They come out and say they represent our region and they look out for our community, but they have done the exact opposite in voting against Mark’s bill.
“For me, it was a real eye opener to see the callous disregard they have for their constituents they purport to represent.”
Independent MP Troy Bell slammed the pair, saying “the community should feel very let down” by Mr Maher and Ms Scriven’s opposition to the mining act amendment.
“We now have a second example beyond the sale of our forests in the South East of Labor not standing up for our community,” he said.
“Clearly the desire of our community, which Kyam and Clare should be representing, will ban fracking for 10 years.
“If the bill is passed in the lower house and comes back to the upper house, I would expect Kyam and Clare to put the community above their party and support this bill.”
In closing debate on the bill, Mr Parnell indirectly suggested the two members have “some questions to answer” in the South East.
He said Labor’s opposition to the bill was “no surprise”, adding “they have been fond of the gas industry in all parts of South Australia, including the South East”.
“They have given vast quantities of taxpayers’ money with the PACE grant scheme and other schemes to the gas industry,” he said.
“They are nothing if not consistent, but they are wrong.
“They do not have at heart the interests of the people of the South East.
“They do not hold seats down there, maybe that is why.
“Certainly if they were listening to the people in the South East, they would know the community is dead against this activity and the Labor Party I think would do well to listen.”
Ms Scriven dismissed the criticism, saying Labor’s position on gas exploration had been consistent.
She added the Liberal Party had broken its election promise by failing to back Mr Parnell’s bill.
“Local Liberal MP Nick McBride claims he supports legislation for a 10-year ban,” she said.
“So the question is, will he cross the floor when a similar bill comes before the House of Assembly in September?”
