Katter and McLindon launch CSG policy

Beaudesert Times - Anthony Mitrow

FEDERAL leader of the Australian Party Bob Katter delivered a spirited address to a supportive audience of about 100 people at Simon’s Tavern, Boonah on Monday.

Queensland branch leader Aidan McLindon also spoke at the event, billed as a Mining and Coal Seam Gas policy launch for the party.

While the centrepiece of the policy, a 12 month moratorium on CSG mining in Queensland, was clear, the finer details of the policy were still being worked out.

“There will be the 12 month moratorium, and the landowners will have a right to say no to these gas and mining companies,” Mr McLindon said.

Under questioning Mr McLindon and Mr Katter conceded landowners could also say “yes”.

“They can, we’re actually looking at the buffer zones at the moment in terms of the adverse impacts to the local communities,” Mr McLindon said.

“We’ve got about three parts to our mining and coal seam gas policy - (the moratorium) is the first one, the second one is where they can and can’t (mine), and as we’re revealing tonight, the Scenic Rim is going to be one of those no-go zones, so is the Artesian basin - it’s a no-go zone.

“Also near water aquifers, which the farming communities depend on, (miners) cannot drill into.”

Mr Katter said he wanted to see individual landholders have greater autonomy over their property, including the right to say “yes” to mining on their property.

“If you own your land you should be able to decide what goes on there,” he said.

But he said the question of impact on neighbouring landowners was vexing.

“Good point. Very good point. That’s where, it’s not easy legislation,” he said.

He said impacts would have to be assessed.

Mr Katter said the Australian Party’s mining policy would be further developed.

Mr Katter said he was declaring war on CSG miners, but he was not anti-mining.

“I think what we’ve said shows we’re declaring war on them, there can be no doubt about that,” he said.

“I say that not because I’m anti-mining - I’m very pro-mining, that’s where I come from - I’m a miner - that’s what I was doing before I entered politics but with (CSG) there’s no advantage for Australia.”

http://www.beaudeserttimes.com.au/boonah/143-katter-and-mclindon-launch-csg-policy