LIMESTONE Coast Protection Alliance chair Angus Ralton has slammed Federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan’s “misleading” comments on the region’s fracking ban, arguing the 10-year moratorium is based on science.
During a visit to Port Pirie, Mr Canavan reportedly told The Advertiser there was no scientific evidence to support a fracking ban in the South East.
He said fracking had been used in the Cooper Basin for decades without incident, adding he was hopeful for the development of a “more robust scientific basis” to support all types of gas exploration and production.
According to The Advertiser, Mr Canavan did concede gas extraction could not proceed anywhere because of social impacts.
Mr Ralton, whose lobby group was instrumental in securing the decade-long ban on fracking in the South East, said scientific and peer-reviewed evidence proved the extraction practice was a significant social and environmental risk.
“Anybody who says there is no evidence to show fracking is harmful both to the environment and the community needs to go back to the book,” he said.
“We have the evidence, we have the science and this is what we have used during the whole fight against this.
“The social impacts are extremely important, particularly in the South East where we are a cohesive society.
“For anyone, including the Resources Minister to say the moratorium was not based on science is misleading to say the least.”
Mr Ralton said potential economic impacts also needed to be taken into consideration.
“The risk versus reward is too great as you have to put one industry against thousands of jobs,” he said.
“When things go wrong, all of your tourism jobs are gone, agricultural production is gone and the state’s gross domestic production is gone.”
Mr Canavan’s federal colleague – Member for Barker Tony Pasin – reiterated his support for the State Government imposed 10-year moratorium.
He said he was not willing to risk land and water resources until there was “unequivocal evidence” fracking posed no risk to the region’s environment and agricultural production.
The Liberal MP said there was differences in the geological character of each individual region, adding the Limestone Coast was a high value area that needs protecting.
Last year, the South Australian Parliament passed the ban following a lengthy grassroots campaign from the local communities, independent MP Troy Bell, Greens SA parliamentary leader Mark Parnell and state Liberal MP Nick McBride.
The successful passage of the bill angered resource industry figures, with South Australia Chamber of Mines and Energy chief executive Rebecca Knol slamming the state’s politicians for not considering scientific facts.
Her comments were supported by Lakes Oil chair Chris Tonkin, who at the time said the moratorium was another example of politics overtaking scientific evidence and common sense.
