NSW Labor is determined to introduce a "sensible and balanced approach" to coal seam gas, but refuses to politicise the issue.
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In September last year, Shadow Resource Minister Adam Searle introduced a private members bill which called for an immediate statewide moratorium on coal seam gas exploration.
The bill has been read a second time, but Mr Searle said Labor wouldn’t force a vote on the issue to lose and point the finger.
“We could do that right now, get it voted down, then say 'well look how bad [the Coalition is] for doing this',” he said.
“But we are putting politics aside and doing the right thing. We don't want this to get voted down.
“It hasn't proceeded because we don't have the votes, but we knocking on doors and making the case.”
This week the Victorian government banned unconventional gas mining, while Labor won the Northern Territory election with a key promise to introduce a similar moratorium.
Mr Searle hopes the recent developments will gain his bill more votes, particularly from Nationals MPs who have previously expressed concerns about coal seam gas.
“I've said this a number of times, they talk tough in the bush, but when it comes to Sydney they roll over for their Liberal Party paymasters – the greyhound racing ban is a perfect example,” he said.
Nationals' leader Troy Grant advocated for the buy back of CSG licences in the Northern Rivers, while Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson is openly against CSG projects on black soil agricultural land.
Mr Searle encourage the community to write to their local MP, encouraging them to get behind the bill, which he hoped would be "debated in the near future".
"That's the language politicians listen to closely – or chose to ignore at their own peril," he said.
"This is an issue that needs us to listen the community, and that's what we've done."
[The Nationals] talk tough in the bush, but when it comes to Sydney they roll over for their Liberal Party paymasters.
- Shadow Resource Minister, Adam Searle