http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2015/06/15/4255211.htm
15 June, 2015 3:06PM AEST
Nats divided over CSG plan
By
Joanne Shoebridge (ABC North Coast )
The State Government's gas plan was meant to provide certainty for the industry and heal rifts in regional communities over coal seam gas. But it's done anything but that, with the Nationals at loggerheads at their weekend conference over just what the gas plan means in the state's far north.
Farmer and Knitting Nanna Anne Thompson has been a supporter of the Nationals for 37 years.
She was elated when news broke that Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis had put forward an urgency motion, seconded by Page MP Kevin Hogan, which called for the Nationals to push for a buyback of two Northern Rivers petroleum exploration licences, PEL 445 and PEL 16.
"Last Friday morning the word soon spread that the motion was going to be put and there was absolute jubilation, but by mid afternoon it looked like it had just fizzled out," Ms Thompson said.
"There was then a big feeling of let down that it wasn't [voted on]."
After a debate lasting more than an hour, the Member for Lismore Thomas George called for the motion to be allowed to lapse, saying everything that was in it the government was already doing.
"I announced prior to the election that we would buy back PEL 445, the government has announced that they are and will continue to negotiate with Metgasco for a suitable outcome for their PELs," Mr George told ABC North Coast Mornings.
However despite the motion not going to a vote, the federal member for Page was still claiming it as a victory.
Mr Hogan posted on his Facebook page,
"The leader of the NSW Nationals Troy Grant called for an end to the CSG industry in the Northern Rivers. This is now Nationals policy. Because this is policy, a motion at our conference lapsed and a vote not required. Great news."
Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis was less optimistic, saying he was disappointed but pleased the issue was debated.
"The motion could very well have been lost and I would have liked that less," Mr Gulatpis said.
"It was a healthy debate, it was a good debate and it clearly shows the party is divided on this issue.
"And that's what the gas plan is about... indicating where gas can take place, where it's safe, where the community does accept it,.
"We clearly in the Northern Rivers don't accept it, and that's the message I wanted to get through."
But the messages coming out of the Nationals' camp have left grassroots members, both pro and anti coal seam gas, perplexed.
Bentley landholder Peter Graham has been a National Party member for 26 years. He said the urgency motion was nothing more than a tool to split the party.
"Branch officials always know the timeframe they've got to put a motion in, so to put an urgency motion up, I see as just a last-minute ditch to have a go at pulling the party apart," Mr Graham said.
"Coal seam gas, wow! Hasn't it divided our community in every facet?"
Mr Graham had hoped to host Metgasco, which had planned a test well named 'Rosella', but his confidence in that happening is waning.
"I'm losing hope," he said.
"I suppose, you never lose hope until the last breath, but it's starting to concern me (the possibility) that Metgasco are in negotiation with the government."
Despite overwhelming public opposition, Mr Graham remains convinced that there are many supporters of the industry in the region who aren't game to speak publicly.
And he's yet to be convinced by arguments of opponents who say the industry is unsafe.
"I haven't spent a lot of time in QLD but I have spent a lot of time speaking to farmers in QLD who have had gas wells on their farm, and the effects? There are not effects, it's only money in their pocket, and I
think the farmers in the Northern Rivers deserve to have the same opportunity as a farmer in Gloucester, as Camden, we deserve to have that opportunity to see if there is another opportunity to see if we can
make our farms a little bit more viable," Mr Graham said.
Anne Thompson said her jaw dropped when she heard Peter Graham's words.
"I've been to the Darling Downs on many occasions and now have many friends up there, and the devastation that they are feeling, I mean their bore water has dropped, to start with and this is in country that's
experiencing devastating drought, people's water tanks are polluted with a substance that's referred to as black rain, that comes from the proximity of gas plants and reverse osmosis plants," she said.
"People are sick, children are particularly vulnerable."
The one thing these two long time Northern Rivers farmers do agree upon is that the party's political wing is sending mixed messages.
"We really don't know what this policy is that is set in stone except that Thomas George made pre-election promises to buy back PEL 445," Mrs Thompson said.
Mr Graham is now resigned to a longer wait for a second income stream than he once imagined.
"The resource is still there so someone will be back for it in 10 or 20 years," he said.
(20min delay)