Petroleum and Geothermal Energy (Hydraulic Fracturing) Amendment Bill
12/11/2014
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: I speak today very briefly on this bill. Both the issue and practice of hydraulic fracturing are new to South Australia and I appreciate that it became quite an emotive and divisive issue during the state election campaign in particular earlier this year, particularly in the South-East of the state. I would like to say at this point as well, that while Dignity for Disability has released a policy opposing the practice of hydraulic fracturing in this state’s farming areas, or primary production regions, we understand that what is proposed in South Australia in terms of fracking may be quite different from practices that have been carried out in places like Queensland and the United States.
I have also met with Beach Energy to further educate Dignity for Disability on this issue, and I appreciate their Chief Executive, Reg Nelson, and his staff, taking the time to meet with me and discuss this very important issue. I was interested to learn about the work that they have done in South Australia over many years and also their corporate ethics in contributing back some of their profits to the community. However, I would also note that the community in the South-East have not felt adequately consulted about plans that Beach Energy have, and I think that a ban on fracking for South Australia at present would be wise.
