Lock the Gate Alliance (LTG) has debunked an Energy Security Forum planned for Sydney tomorrow as ‘a platform for mining interests’ and called instead for a Food Security Forum.
LTG spokesperson Carmel Flint referred to state resources minister Chris Hartcher and federal resources minister Ian Macfarlane as ‘the terrible twins who are trying to ram CSG down the throats of people across NSW against their wishes’.
Ms Flint made the comments on the back of an Essential Research poll released today showing that 84 per cent of respondents in NSW support a ban on coal and coal seam gas (CSG) mining on productive agricultural lands and 74 per cent support a ban on fracking.
The poll was commissioned by LTG.
She said the poll flew in the face of comments made by Minister Macfarlane this week that ‘sought to demonise farmers and people opposed to CSG mining as “anarchists” and “people who have no respect for the rule of law”’.
‘The results from this poll show overwhelming support by the people of NSW for farmers and staunch opposition to coal and gas mining on food-producing lands,’ said Ms Flint.
‘The results show that concerns about coal and gas mining on farmland are a mainstream issue – not the preserve of anarchists and law-breakers as claimed by Ian Macfarlane last week.
‘The NSW government has organised yet another so-called Energy Security Forum to be held in Sydney this Thursday, to provide a platform for mining giants and CSG industry stooges to push their agenda.
‘However, the results of this poll suggest the people of NSW would much prefer to see the NSW government organising a Food Security Forum that considers how best to protect farmland from mining.
‘These poll results show that an extraordinary 84 per cent of people support a ban on coal and gas mining on productive farming land, and both state and federal governments should now act on community wishes and protect those areas,’ she said.
The poll of 1,100 people in New South Wales was conducted by Essential Research and commissioned by Lock The Gate Alliance.
Three Prime Ministers in 3 months. Lets make it four.