Bob Katter must be laughing all the way to government control after March 24 that will reign in the two party nest feathers ...
When I was contracting in the Central Queensland Coalfields 2009-2011 I saw the beginnings of the CSG industry at Moranbah.
Arrow was still Arrow albeit in the throws of being swallowed up by Royal Dutch Shell. I believe Prince Phillip has a sizeable stake in this company.
I have seen first hand the huge amounts of water needed to operate gas wells. Friends were contracting to Arrow with semi water trucks. It was great lurk for contractors. Having a rural journalism background I could see what was going to happen to our great brigalow belt across Queensland. It is our best grazing and farming country comprising cracking clay soils with high humus content in many cases. Much of this state's wheat, barley, sunflower and sorghum crops and cotton are grown in this huge area. Many towns and farming communities are supported by this foodbowl, not to mention that it also represents some of best grass fattening country in Australia. Millions of export Jap ox and domestic slaughter cattle have been produced in the brigalow belt for most of the last century.
The CSG industry from what I have seen is a direct threat to food sovereignty of Queensland and the nation.
Two years ago I wrote an article warning about the emerging CSG industry in CQ. It was published by the Mackay Mercury. Soon after covert pressure was placed on me through my work in the area.
Clearly Arrow was upset. I had published details of the Friends of Felton site, one of the first groups taking the fight to the drillers. I soon realised there could only be one way to remedy this terrible conflict between food and mining. Political pressure was the only hope. After some digging around I discovered the ALP was in bed with the CSG industry.
A highly placed insurance industry source told me former Premier Peter Beattie has suddenly become quite wealthy, on paper at least, having acquired large parcels of mining and gas shares. Industry sources claimed Beattie handed out most of the gas ATP's.
No doubt in true Labor style he would not have been the only beneficiary.
SOS News - 26.02.12
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