Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) the concern expressed by regional communities about the impacts on food security and water resources from coal seam gas, shale gas and tight gas, and

(ii) That the Federal Government has power to regulate the conduct of constitutional corporations, including corporations involved in coal seam gas, shale gas and tight gas mining; and

(b) agrees that:

(i) food security and water resources should be prioritised over coal seam gas, shale gas and tight gas mining, and

(ii) the Federal Government should use its constitutional powers to regulate the conduct of corporations undertaking coal seam gas, shale gas and tight gas mining.

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have consistently said that if there is going to be a negative impact on prime agricultural land then coal seam gas mining should not occur. The government opposes this motion. The government does not make policy on the run in response to Greens notices of motion in the Senate, and we will not dignify the Greens' cheap political stunt with our vote.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Waters be agreed to.