Ron Nuttall, Tyalgum
One of the central issues facing us in this coming federal election is the issue of coal seam gas mining. This is because CSG has the potential to pollute and destroy our water resources.
As a Labor supporter, I am pleased to acknowledge the stand taken by Justine Elliot on this issue. Justine has campaigned effectively against the extension of CSG mining into the Richmond electorate through direct action and, in cooperation with Janelle Saffin, through launching a petition opposing CSG mining.
The National Party candidate has attempted to dodge this issue and to obscure his party’s support for CSG mining. He claims that there are no CSG reserves in the northern rivers, and therefore no problem. If there is no CSG, then why are the CSG companies taking out exploration licences? Why, as in the case of the TEL 445 licence, has exploration actually commenced?
Perhaps the National Party candidate knows something the CSG mining companies don’t. In which case, why not enlighten them, advise them to stop searching immediately, surrender their licences, and leave?
