ID :
201381
Mon, 08/15/2011 - 14:36
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/201381
The shortlink copeid
Abbott throws CSG debate back to states
SYDNEY (AAP) - Farmers will have to rely on the states in their battle with miners over property access rights, with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott set to torpedo a Greens bill to shut out unwanted digging.
Mr Abbott on Friday said farmers should have the right to say no to mining companies wanting to explore properties for coal seam gas, backing the position adopted by Queensland Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman.
But on Monday Mr Abbott refused to back a bill proposed by the federal Greens to give farmers the right to say no to exploration.
"We don't support the Greens," Mr Abbott told reporters in Canberra.
"We're not going to support the Greens because the Greens are just against mining full stop."
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh moved to assure regional townships they are safe from mining, announcing exploration will be banned in urban areas.
Her cabinet considered a policy on Monday to rule out exploration on land within the bounds of the South East Queensland Regional Plan and all regional centres and towns with populations of 1000 or more.
Greens Leader Bob Brown said legislation was the only way to protect farmers, describing Mr Abbott's backdown as "muddled, naive and ultimately confusing politics for everybody".
"The question for Tony Abbott is if you're not going to take up the Greens legislative route to protect farmers, what's your alternative?" Senator Brown told reporters in Hobart.
Senator Brown said the opposition leader needed to overcome the awkward prospect of the Greens and the coalition siding together.
Opposition resources spokesman Ian Macfarlane said he would wait to see the details of the Greens' bill before deciding whether to recommend it to the coalition.
"But instincts serve me well. The Greens will be doing nothing but playing wedge politics," he said.
"It will be a cold day in hell when they are the friends of farmers."
Land-use decisions were very important, but they were fundamentally a matter for state governments, Mr Abbott said.
"We've got to broadly support the mining industry, but mining shouldn't be allowed to destroy prime agricultural land and mining companies should always respect the rights of farmers, and that's the coalition's position."
Resources Minister Martin Ferguson said "constitutionally and historically the matter was a state responsibility" but accused Mr Abbott of having no regard for real policy or the overall economic welfare of all Australians.
"You've got to do it in a proper policy context, but what we've got at the moment is the leader of the opposition going ... from area to area saying what he thinks the local community wants to hear irrespective of any economic consequences for the overall local community and the national interest at large," Mr Ferguson told ABC Radio.
"It would be inappropriate for the commonwealth to start undermining the constitutional capacity of the states for short-term political gain."
Trade Minister Craig Emerson accused Mr Abbott of "rank political opportunism" and elevating sovereign risk.
National Farmers Federation (NFF) President Jock Laurie said clear land-access agreements were required to ensure farmers were aware of their rights.
"The NFF's position is not about stopping coal or coal seam gas exploration or mining. It is about empowering farmers and giving them a greater right to negotiate proper commercial terms for access to their properties, so that the industries can co-exist," Mr Laurie said.
Mr Abbott on Friday said farmers should have the right to say no to mining companies wanting to explore properties for coal seam gas, backing the position adopted by Queensland Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman.
But on Monday Mr Abbott refused to back a bill proposed by the federal Greens to give farmers the right to say no to exploration.
"We don't support the Greens," Mr Abbott told reporters in Canberra.
"We're not going to support the Greens because the Greens are just against mining full stop."
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh moved to assure regional townships they are safe from mining, announcing exploration will be banned in urban areas.
Her cabinet considered a policy on Monday to rule out exploration on land within the bounds of the South East Queensland Regional Plan and all regional centres and towns with populations of 1000 or more.
Greens Leader Bob Brown said legislation was the only way to protect farmers, describing Mr Abbott's backdown as "muddled, naive and ultimately confusing politics for everybody".
"The question for Tony Abbott is if you're not going to take up the Greens legislative route to protect farmers, what's your alternative?" Senator Brown told reporters in Hobart.
Senator Brown said the opposition leader needed to overcome the awkward prospect of the Greens and the coalition siding together.
Opposition resources spokesman Ian Macfarlane said he would wait to see the details of the Greens' bill before deciding whether to recommend it to the coalition.
"But instincts serve me well. The Greens will be doing nothing but playing wedge politics," he said.
"It will be a cold day in hell when they are the friends of farmers."
Land-use decisions were very important, but they were fundamentally a matter for state governments, Mr Abbott said.
"We've got to broadly support the mining industry, but mining shouldn't be allowed to destroy prime agricultural land and mining companies should always respect the rights of farmers, and that's the coalition's position."
Resources Minister Martin Ferguson said "constitutionally and historically the matter was a state responsibility" but accused Mr Abbott of having no regard for real policy or the overall economic welfare of all Australians.
"You've got to do it in a proper policy context, but what we've got at the moment is the leader of the opposition going ... from area to area saying what he thinks the local community wants to hear irrespective of any economic consequences for the overall local community and the national interest at large," Mr Ferguson told ABC Radio.
"It would be inappropriate for the commonwealth to start undermining the constitutional capacity of the states for short-term political gain."
Trade Minister Craig Emerson accused Mr Abbott of "rank political opportunism" and elevating sovereign risk.
National Farmers Federation (NFF) President Jock Laurie said clear land-access agreements were required to ensure farmers were aware of their rights.
"The NFF's position is not about stopping coal or coal seam gas exploration or mining. It is about empowering farmers and giving them a greater right to negotiate proper commercial terms for access to their properties, so that the industries can co-exist," Mr Laurie said.
