Metgasco slams NSW ‘appeasement policy’ Peter Henderson says...

Metgasco slams NSW ‘appeasement policy’
Peter Henderson says business could be vulnerable. Photo: James Brickwood
WILL GLASGOW

The Baird government is under internal pressure to fix its approach to coal seam gas with a Liberal bankbencher warning the growing protest movement is preventing NSW from being seen as a more favourable mining investment destination than Tasmania.

And the businessman at the centre of the storm over the state's coal seam gas industry, Metgasco chief executive Peter Henderson, told The A ustralian Financial Review that the Baird government was in danger of making the situation worse.

"Here's the problem – if they continue with the policy of appeasement, they will lose. The other side will get stronger," Mr Henderson said.

Outspoken NSW Liberal Peter Phelps criticised the state's ongoing failure to catch up to Tasmania as a favoured mining investment destination, according to rankings by Canadian think tank the Fraser Institute.

"You've got a situation where it's more advantageous to invest in Tasmania or South Australia than NSW," Mr Phelps said.

"The [Baird] government has given up on rationality. It's very disappointing to me," he added.