LIBERAL MP Nick McBride has slammed senior Labor former minister Tom Koutsantonis for claiming the State Government was anti-industry for supporting a legislated ban on fracking.
The Member for MacKillop took aim at the ex-mining minister in State Parliament after Mr Koutsantonis launched a scathing attack on the Liberals’ for backing a 10-year moratorium on the gas extraction method in the South East.
Mr McBride rejected Mr Koutsantonis’ claims the Liberal Party’s support was based on buying votes, further dismissing notions the legislative ban was anti-business, anti-jobs and anti-development.
“To suggest we are going to close the mining industry down for all extraction is absolutely wrong,” Mr McBride said.
“I know there is a new well called Haselgrove-3 in MacKillop, with the potential to provide nearly 25 gigajoules of gas per day, one of the highest flow rates in the state’s history.
“That will prop up business and industry and perhaps even serve to keep the power prices down, something which the Member for West Torrens’ government caused to sky rocket out of control.
“That did more damage to the state than any moratorium or legislative requirement we are talking about here today.”
Mr McBride also targeted Labor MLC Clare Scriven, saying the high-profile politician’s comments had undermined “anything she stands for”.
“What is really ironic is we now have a member from the upper house going around and opening offices in Millicent, spruiking that Labor are listening to the constituents of my region, hearing the concerns of my region,” he said.
“Yet we have the Member for West Torrens who is part of her team undermining anything she stands for.
“To think she is part of a team that would go into my region and listen to concerns is unfounded.”
In his parliamentary speech, Mr McBride said the decade-long moratorium had the ability to allow for a “change of attitude” in relation to social licence.
“Fracking may go ahead down in our region,” he said.
“I do not know.
“We know science changes and we know community sentiment can change.
“Ten years buys us time to get around all the issues that my constituents are concerned about.
“When the argument of the day is won, we will have the community on board.”
