Out of the mouths of babes … but will Metgasco listen? Schoolgirl Kudra Falla-Ricketts posed a brilliant solution to the intractable impasse the gasminers find themselves in at Bentley, from which they could leave with a modicum of dignity.
In her April Fools Day prank, Kudra sent out a fake press release using the Metgasco logo, from her school email address, declaring that Metgasco had decided to discontinue gasmining operations in the northern rivers owing to community opposition, and instead build a ‘solar thermal plant’ near Casino.
What a wonderful idea; it’s smart, simple and sensible. However, Metgasco’s CEO Peter Henderson was not amused and reported her to ASIC. As in the case of Jonathan Moylan who did a similar prank on Whitehaven Coal which, for a few hours, lowered their share price, Kudra could face up to ten years in jail and a fine of $750,000, even though Metgasco’s share price was not affected.
As the sign with a pink heart says, ‘LOVE YOU to go, METGASCO.’
Deborah Lilly, Mullumbimby
