March 3, 2017 3:30pm A CONVENTIONAL gas industry looks likely to...

March 3, 2017 3:30pm
A CONVENTIONAL gas industry looks likely to remain on hold in Victoria until at least 2020, despite a last-ditch effort to have a Government-imposed moratorium excluded from legislation.
The Weekly Times understands the Government has the support of the Greens and enough crossbenchers to bring the bans into law.
The legislation, tied to a permanent ban on fracking, carried through Victoria’s Lower House last month and is expected to go before the Upper House on Tuesday.

http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/ne...d/news-story/9d28df5b0ac64dc17031c1b2f2384e95


Shooters Fishers and Farmers MP Daniel Young said he would raise an amendment that would exclude conventional gas from the ban.
The Coalition Opposition, which went to two regional by-elections in 2015 supporting the 2020 ban on conventional gas, said it would consider the amendment.
“Shadow Cabinet and the Coalition Party Room will consider these amendments next week,” a Coalition spokesman said.
The Weekly Times understands industry has lobbied the Coalition to support a lift on the conventional gas ban, and several Liberal backbenchers agree that conventional should be considered in Victoria, to reduce skyrocketing gas prices.

Sex Party MP Fiona Patten said she would support the Government’s legislation, after she’d received hundreds of phone calls and emails from Victorians concerned about the proposed amendment.
“There are a lot of passionate people on this issue, certainly from country areas,” Ms Patten said.
“We considered it. The ban on unconventional exploration and mining was a no brainer, but the moratorium on conventional gas raised questions for us.”
Ms Patten said she consulted widely and felt “really comfortable” that the Government’s legislation, which allows for a Geoscience study of conventional gas resources until the ban lifts in June 2020, was “sensible”.
Ms Patten said she had not been approached by on Victorian this week who supported the amendment.
“Not a single call,” she said.


IS LAKES OIL MANAGEMENT ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL HERE !!!

THIS GOES TO THE VOTE ON TUESDAY.