[Greens-Media] FW: Barnaby caught napping on New England

[Newman, Freya (Sen L. Rhiannon)]

To New England, news

From: Newman, Freya (Sen L. Rhiannon)
Sent: Monday, 6 June 2016 12:10 PM
To: Rhiannon, Lee (Senator)
Subject: Barnaby caught napping on New England

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MEDIA RELEASE
6 June 2016

Barnaby caught napping on New England
Greens candidate for New England Mercurius Goldstein and Greens NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon have commented on news that Santos is pushing ahead with CSG mining in the Liverpool Plains.

Greens NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon said "The Greens have stood with farmers on the Liverpool Plains from the beginning and we will continue to support them in their fight against CSG. I have worked with the community as a Greens MP and as a Senator.

"Last year Santos donated $168,755 to the major parties, including $86000 to the Liberals and Nationals.

"This will be a political headache for Barnaby Joyce and rightly so - as Deputy Leader he will not be able to walk both sides of the street on this.

"The Nationals could intervene but their loyalty lies with their donors and with the fossil fuels industry.

"There should be a moratorium on coal seam gas exploration until there is scientific proof that it is safe for the land, water and our health and communities.

New England Greens candidate Mercurius Goldstein said, "Once again Barnaby Joyce has been caught napping on an agricultural crisis that threatens New England farmers."

"On Sunday in Tamworth I joined hundreds of New England residents for a World Environment Day rally against coal and coal seam gas. The Minister for Agriculture was nowhere to be seen."

"While I discussed with New England farmers the Greens $175 million sustainable agriculture research package for the future of food and fibre production, the Member of New England has missed these CSG licenses right under his nose."

"Years before CSG became a national issue that attracted headlines, Greens have supported farmers in their struggle against multi-billion dollar fossil fuel companies coming onto their land."

"Twice now the Liberal-Nationals and Labor have refused farmers the right to say 'no' to fossil fuel companies. The Greens team in the Senate twice put these bills before Parliament, and the fossil fuel parties have twice blocked them."

"As far back as 2008, Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon was the first Australian politician to stand with farmers on the Liverpool Plains against coal and coal seam gas."

"Greens have maintained that commitment all along, and I will continue to support New England farmers, working alongside Senator Rhiannon and NSW Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham."



Media contact:
Lee Rhiannon - Freya Newman 0411 669 022
Mercurius Goldstein - 0434 919 606