RE: Federal Election - impact?20 Apr 2019 17:24
7 months dated, but this is about Bill Shorten. Opposition leader. Obviously, Morrison and company are on board. Economy isn't in great shape. Would you shut fracking down?
Shorten tackles Andrews over conventional gas exploration
Bill Shorten in Brisbane yesterday. Picture: AAP
Bill Shorten in Brisbane yesterday. Picture: AAP
JOE KELLY
POLITICAL REPORTER
@joekellyoz
12:00AM SEPTEMBER 4, 2018
111 COMMENTS
Bill Shorten has clashed with Victorian Labor Premier Daniel Andrews, urging him to reconsider the state’s opposition to conventional gas exploration as he revealed new measures aimed at securing domestic supply.
Despite pressure to overturn its permanent ban on fracking, and its decision to extend a moratorium on conventional onshore gas exploration to mid-2020, the Andrews government has refused to shift its policy.
Ahead of the Victorian election in November, the federal Opposition Leader yesterday took aim at the Andrews gas ban, and singled out restrictions on gas resource development in NSW.
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Mr Shorten said Australia had “enough gas in the ground to make sure we can not only look after Aussie jobs but also have a very good export industry”.
“I do think that states need to reconsider their moratoriums on conventional gas exploration,” he said. “I notice it is a NSW Liberal government who don’t want some of the gas exploration … But I think we need to reconsider opposition to conventional gas extraction in Victoria.”
Victorian Treasurer and Resources Minister Tim Pallas yesterday hit back, saying the Andrews government would be guided by the “science” and was investigating its potential gas resources. He said there would be no compromise on the state’s fracking ban.
“We’re letting the science do the talking on this, which is why Victoria’s Lead Scientist is currently undertaking a comprehensive program of geoscience and environmental research, using the latest technology and research methods to get the clearest picture yet of the state’s potential gas resources, while under a Labor government fracking remains banned,” Mr Pallas said.
A Newspoll survey for The Australian last month showed 51 per cent of Labor voters supported restrictions being lifted on gas exploration to help lower energy prices; 36 per cent opposed removing moratoriums.
In April, Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner lifted the moratorium on fracking but NSW, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia have full or partial moratoriums and restrictions on gas development.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, right, with Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Picture: Chris Eastman
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, right, with Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Picture: Chris Eastman
Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association chief executive Malcolm Roberts said the position of the Andrews government was “leading Victoria int
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