March 16, 2016 12:00am
KATH SULLIVANThe Weekly Times
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A VICTORIAN Government MP who was also a member of the parliamentary inquiry into unconventional gas has called for a permanent ban on the extraction of coal seam gas.
While government MPs have been reluctant to speak publicly on the issue, Upper House MP Shaun Leane has taken to Facebook to pledge his support for a permanent fracking ban.
A city MP, Mr Leane was a member of last year’s inquiry into unconventional gas, which failed to make a key recommendation to Government.
At the time Mr Leane, a former electrician, put the motion that the committee recommend an outright ban on unconventional gas in Victoria.
The Government has a moratorium on fracking and all onshore gas exploration and extraction, with a new policy on gas due before June 8.
“The Liberal chair of the committee has tried to blame the of lack committee resources for there not being a consensus on the committee’s reference. This is just a cop- out,” Mr Leane wrote.
Shaun Leane.
Mr Leane said he was “100 per cent convinced that there is no place for unconventional gas extraction which involves fracking in the state of Victoria.”
“Flying around the country and around the world staying in posh hotels would not have changed my opinion,” he said.
Mr Leane said he would not comment on the potential for an onshore conventional gas industry in Victoria, which was not part of the inquiry.
He said an unconventional gas industry could have a significant impact on agriculture in Victoria, which held a “clean green reputation” overseas.
He called for any government funding for new energy sources to be spent on renewable energy.
“It was clear to me that the people lobbying against fracking in Victoria have put in the effort,” he said.
“Only fools insult community’s intelligence, especially about an issue that could have an effect on their kids’ future. He concluded his Facebook post by saying: “Spivs come out of the woodwork when there is a dollar in it.”
When contacted by The Weekly Times, Mr Leane said he stood by his comments.
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