AUSTRALIA’S booming coal-seam gas industry is turning into the latest punch ball for politicians, putting it increasingly at risk of tougher restrictions.
The government’s slender grip on power relies on Greens and independents who want to freeze exploration, while the opposition is promising that if it is in office it will tighten up on an industry often accused of threatening the environment.
Water and chemicals are injected at huge pressure into coal seams to extract gas, raising concerns of contamination of underground water tables and potentially dangerous leaks above ground.
“People are sick and tired of being walked over by big corporations,” said independent MP Bob Katter, who is from Queensland and is leading the charge against the encroachment of coal-seam drilling rigs onto rural land.
“This is really hurting in regional Australia, but it is biting in the cities too,” said Katter, whose new political party has already signed up two sitting Queensland state MPs.
Oman Daily Observer
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