The Andrews Labor Government today introduced legislation to permanently ban fracking in Victoria, protecting our agricultural sector and giving certainty to regional communities.
In a national first, the Resources Legislation Amendment (Fracking Ban) Bill 2016 will:
- permanently ban all onshore unconventional gas exploration and development, including hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) and coal seam gas
- extend the moratorium on conventional onshore gas exploration and development to 30 June 2020.
Farming communities across Victoria have been calling for a ban on unconventional gas for years.
This legislation ends the anxiety felt by Victorian farmers about the environmental and health risks associated with fracking.
It forms part of the government response to the 2015 Parliamentary Inquiry into Onshore Unconventional Gas in Victoria which received more than 1600 submissions, mostly opposed to onshore unconventional gas.
It is still unclear whether the Nationals will support the Labor Government’s legislative ban or if they side with the Liberals’ calls for more uncertainty, indecision and inaction.
The legislation will protect Victoria’s farming sector, which employs more than 190,000 Victorians and exports $12 billion in food and fibre products a year.
The Bill amends the Petroleum Act 1998 and the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 to implement the Government's decision.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We were elected to put people first – and that means supporting Victorian farmers, their families and regional communities by protecting their produce and our environment.”
“We promised to ban fracking and we're getting it done – the livelihoods of thousands of Victorians and the reputation of their world-class produce depend on it.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Resources Wade Noonan
“For the last two years we've delivered on the things that matter most to people – the Victorian community has spoken and they simply don’t support fracking.”
“This is one of the biggest issues affecting regional Victoria and these communities deserve to know whether or not the Coalition will support the Andrews Labor Government’s legislative ban.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020