BELLATA farmer and anti-coal seam gas campaigner Penny Blatchford claims she’s been told Opposition leader Tony Abbott is too busy to meet with her between now and the federal election.
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Mrs Blatchford is still pushing parliament to pass amendments in the Senate on the water trigger and landholder rights and was in Canberra on Wednesday to meet with the Australian Greens and member for New England Tony Windsor, but was told the other Tony was too busy to meet with her and was busy until the election.
“When it’s politically convenient, Tony Abbott tells farmers that mining companies shouldn’t be allowed on their land when they’re not wanted, but then does nothing about it in Canberra,” Greens Senator Christine Milne said.
“(Penny Blatchford) wanted to meet with Tony Abbott to discuss her concerns but apparently he doesn’t have any space in his diary before the election.
“This is further proof the Liberals and Nationals have abandoned farmers on this issue and it’s time they threw their support behind our legislation to give landholders the right to say no to coal seam gas.”
Mrs Blatchford said the Greens had been putting some amendments through to strengthen that legislation, so landholders should have the right to say no.
“At the moment landholders, if the mining company wants their land, they will get taken to arbitration,” she said.
“It’s not going to stop the industry, it’s going to mean that any landholder who is negotiating with a mining company is negotiating because they want to be there.
“In NSW, if you are in forced arbitration, you’re not allowed an Australian legal practitioner in the room under the Petroleum Onshore Act Right of Appearance. People don’t realise this.
“We need to allow landholders the right to say no, because at the moment everything is in the power of the miners.”
Greens mining spokesperson Senator Larissa Waters will move an amendment for landholder rights in the Senate.
“If Tony Abbott is serious about giving landholder rights against coal seam gas, his senators will support my amendment,” Senator Waters said.
Mrs Blatchford also met with Mr Windsor who has been pushing for the amendments to be passed.
On Monday she was in Sydney where she met with opposition spokesman for the environment and climate change Luke Foley to talk about the Biophysical Strategic Agricultural Land protocol, presenting him with an independent review of that process by Gunnedah scientist Robert Banks.
Mrs Blatchford also went to the Planet Gas AGM to ensure the company had really pulled out of NSW.
“They confirmed that they have no interest in any petroleum resources at the moment,” she said.
“They have completely left NSW.”
She said the trip to Canberra and Sydney was valuable in spreading awareness about CSG and creating strong dialogue between farmers and the Greens.
“The mining companies lobby the (parliament) everyday, so, unfortunately, you just have to do it,” Mrs Blatchford said.
