Survey shows majority want coal seam gas moratorium

An overwhelming number of Australians want a moratorium on the coal seam gas industry, according to a new Galaxy poll released by Australian Greens leader Bob Brown and Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters.

The poll of 1,048 people showed that 68 per cent of Australians support a moratorium on coal seam gas (CSG) until the full health and environmental impacts of disrupting water aquifers are known.

“There is overwhelming support from the Australian people for a moratorium on this potentially devastating industry,” Senator Brown said.

“It’s time that governments in Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney listened to the people on the land rather than the big foreign-owned coal seam gas mining companies who will send millions of dollars overseas.”

The polling showed that a moratorium is supported equally in cities, regional and rural areas in all states, and across age groups, with 70 per cent of those polled also want CSG mining banned outright in cities and towns.

Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters said the Gillard and Bligh Labor governments, like their Liberal oppositions, are choosing to ignore public concerns over CSG.

“The stampede for profits from coal seam gas risks Australia’s best food-growing land and its underground water supplies - food security should be beyond politics,” Senator Waters said.

“You can’t eat coal and you can’t drink gas.

“Both old parties should support a moratorium on any new CSG approvals until the long term impacts of the industry on our groundwater, agriculture, rural communities, threatened species, the climate and the Great Barrier Reef are known.”