NSW Nationals Leader Andrew Stoner faced thousands of jeering protesters as he tried to quell anger over the government's policy on coal seam gas (CSG).
In a sometimes testy address to the rally outside state parliament, Mr Stoner told one protester to "shut your mouth" as he promised the coalition government's draft land-use plan would be improved.
Tuesday's rally came as a parliamentary committee handed down a report recommending that (CSG) exploration continue in NSW but that no new licences be issued until a "comprehensive" regulatory framework was in place.
Under the current draft plan, nearly 1.5 million hectares in the New England and Hunter has been classed as high-value farmland but mining and exploration is not banned on that land.
"It is a draft policy which we know can be improved - it will be," the deputy premier told the rowdy crowd of about 6000 on Tuesday.
But NSW Farmers president Fiona Simson accused the government of trying to discredit the diverse group of protesters who descended on parliament chanting, "Protect our water, protect our land."
Brisbane Times
No comments:
Post a Comment