NSW budget - Tues 23 June, page-3

Lismore MP Thomas George says no-vote did not break election promise

• 
  Alina Rylko
• (15th June 2015 2:06 PM)

Lismore MP Thomas George stopped a vote calling for all seven CSG licences on the Northern Rivers to be bought back or cancelled, at the National Party's annual conference on Friday.

LISMORE MP Thomas George said the National Party's decision not to vote on a motion to make the Northern Rivers 100% coal seam gas free, did not break the party's election pledges.

He said two weeks prior to the election he announced an elected National Party would buy back PEL 445, covering 80% of the region's CSG exploration and mining licences.

But, at the time, he could not make promise on Metgasco's licences (PELs 16, 12 and 426), which were the subject of a court case.

"They have since (the election) won the court case.

"Now the minister and government are sitting down with Metgasco to negotiate a suitable outcome.

"We could not say we would buy back until the Government could sit down and do that."

The court ruled the state government compensate Metgasco for the sudden suspension of its licences.

It's estimated this could cost taxpayers from between $20-$120million, in addition to $320,000 in legal costs.

"Were do you want me to get that money from?" Mr George said.

"The Tweed Hospital?

"We don't know what it's going to cost and where that compensation will come from - I don't want the gun held at my head."

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From the Northern Star

http://m.northernstar.com.au/news/csg-vote-not-back-flip-lismore-mp-thomas-george/2672178/