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

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that the impacts of opening up the Beetaloo Basin in the Northern Territory would increase Australia's emissions by a staggering 6.6% and destroy any chance of Australia helping to contain global warming below 1 degrees;

(b) acknowledges that the Liberal, National and Labor parties are supporting this destructive project because the proponents, Origin Energy and Santos have donated at least $1 million to both political parties, with at least $900,218 going to the Coalition and at least $810,353 to the Labor Party since 2012; and

(c) supports the farmers and traditional owners that do not want their water supplies threatened, their cultural heritage compromised, and the climate sacrificed if the 1,200 fracking wells planned for the Northern Territory proceed.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia needs to develop more gas to help bring down energy prices and support jobs. The Beetaloo basin in the Northern Territory has the potential to be a world-class gas province. Some estimates say that over 6,000 full-time jobs can be created, including many jobs and business opportunities for Indigenous people and local communities. By rigidly opposing the Beetaloo basin development, the Greens are denying Indigenous people their right to choose and consigning Australian families to higher living costs and fewer jobs. The experience with CSG in Queensland is that communities benefit, that increased gas supplies are keeping manufacturers open and that environmental impacts are managed.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that motion No. 477, moved by Senator Waters, be agreed to.