The Resources Legislation Amendment (Fracking Ban) Bill 2016 passed through the Upper House of the Victorian Parliament without amendment this afternoon.
“This is a historic day for our state. We promised we would ban fracking – and that is exactly what we have done.” Minister for Resources Wade Noonan commented “This is a win for people power and regional communities across Victoria who have campaigned for years to see this ban in place.”
“Fracking has been resoundingly rejected in our regional communities.” Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford commented “We’re putting our farmers first and protecting their world-class produce and our environment.”
Minister Noonan said that farming communities across Victoria have been calling for a ban on unconventional gas for years – while also expressing serious concern about the potential impacts of onshore conventional gas exploration and development.
Noonan went on to explain that the permanent legislative ban will protect the ‘clean, green’ reputation of Victoria’s agriculture sector, which employs more than 190,000 people. Adding that the Bill permanently bans all onshore unconventional gas exploration and development, including hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) and coal seam gas and extends the moratorium on conventional onshore gas exploration and development to 30 June 2020.
Minister Pulford explained that the extension to the moratorium will allow the Government to carry out a comprehensive program of geoscientific research – to look closer at Victoria’s prospectivity, and the potential risks, benefits and impacts of onshore conventional gas and development. That critical work will be overseen by Victoria’s lead scientist in consultation with an expert panel made up of farmers, industry, local government and community members.