[Greens-Media] Land Access Bill - Greens to move for committee review

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
12 May 2010



Land Access Bill - Greens to move for committee review


Following a series of meetings with farmers groups Greens MP and mining
spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has said the Greens will move for the Land
Access Bill to be sent to a committee to review the impact on the
agriculture and mining industries.

"The Greens will move for the Land Access Bill currently before the NSW
parliament to be reviewed by an Upper House committee to help ensure
farming communities are not disadvantaged by the proposed legislation,"
Ms Rhiannon said. 

"The NSW Minerals Council and Mineral Resources Minister Ian Macdonald
are working hard for the Land Access Bill to pass this week. 

"This Bill should not be rushed through parliament without a thorough
review. 

"Protecting prime agricultural land should be a government priority but
in recent years many mining representatives have become increasingly
close to ministers that play a key role in approving mines and managing
the industry. 

"An inquiry would help to restore balance in rural areas when there are
competing interests. 

"The legal case that the Land Access Bill effectively overturns was
taken to the Supreme Court by Caroona farmers committed to stopping coal
exploration on the prime agricultural land of the Liverpool Plains. 

"If passed the Bill would make it easier for mining companies to access
land for mining exploration by limiting the number of landholders that
miners have to negotiate with to gain access," Ms Rhiannon said. 


 

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568. 

http://nonewcoal.greens.org.au