Thursday, 22nd November 2018
The Greens (WA) have warned the State Government against releasing the outcome of the fracking inquiry and any resulting decision just as Parliament ends, with Greens MP Robin Chapple arguing that the decision must be open to Parliamentary scrutiny.
Environment spokesperson Robin Chapple MLC said that there was a real risk that Labor would dump the report findings just as Parliament finishes for the year, hoping to avoid scrutiny, and has called on the McGowan Government to release the findings of the report immediately.
“We saw the Feds do it with climate emissions data on the eve of the Grand Final, we know that it is a tactic of Governments to release unpopular decisions or damning data when people are paying least attention.
“The WA Government should release the findings of the fracking report so that the public can examine it for themselves.
“The community will not put up with a halfway measure similar to the NT, and we will not allow groundwater to be poisoned in the name of extra cash for big companies.
“There is no future for fracking in WA. Submissions made by Buru Energy saw that there was no plan to properly manage waste from this toxic industry.
“We simply cannot allow an industry like this to operate if we wish to mitigate climate change and keep to our Paris commitments. Climate change is already affecting WA, and for the State Government to rip open WA for fracking would be tantamount to giving up.
“WA has huge potential for solar energy, which is clean, renewable and affordable. The Government should be investing in renewable energy rather than bowing to the pressure of lobbyists and federal Labor.
“Communities are waiting with baited breath to see the outcome of this scientific inquiry, and to see if the WA Government will commit to protecting the land by banning fracking across WA.
“The Greens are backing the communities, farmers and action groups that are firmly against fracking. We are calling on the State Government to join us and commit to a total ban on fracking.
“I remain hopeful that the State Government will come out against fracking, particularly given the huge amounts of pressure applied by community groups as well as members within the Labor Party’s own ranks.”
Media Contact: Liam Carter – 0449 151 490
