[Greens-Media] Bob Brown - Nationals put mining ahead of farmers

[Kelly, Russell (Sen B. Brown)]

27 November 2008


Nationals put mining ahead of farmers
 
The Australian Greens are appalled that the Nationals have buckled to
mining industry pressure to allow mining exploration under prime farming
land without a water sustainability study.

Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown, who today moved amendments to the Water
Amendment Bill, originally proposed in the lower house by New England
Independent Tony Windsor, said the Nationals had buckled under mining
industry pressure.

"When it came to the crunch - the mining industry raised its finger and
the Nationals have come to heel."

"These amendments are supported by farmers at Caroona and other farming
communities throughout the Murray-Darling Basin - and they were
supported by the Senate until this morning."

"But in the space of 24 hours, the Nationals have withdrawn their
support for farmers."

"If BHP Billiton or any other juggernaut wants to commence mining, then
a hydrology study is required - but the Nationals' amendments mean they
may be ignored even if significant damage to farmlands will result."

"The Greens see it differently - prime agricultural land should be
protected and farmed sustainably, and the mining industry should not be
allowed to make Australia's farms less productive by adversely affecting
local hydrology."

For Hansard see 27.11.08: http://www.aph.gov.au/thisweek/hansard.htm

Further information: Russell Kelly 0438 376 082.