The report handed down by the committee, chaired by Independent Senator Glenn Lazarus, features a number of recommendations, including a moratorium on any new approvals of CSG, which APGA Chief Executive Cheryl Cartwright said ignores the comprehensive reviews of the science and regulation of the industry.
“The call for a Royal Commission into the industry ignores the independent reviews completed in 2014 by the NSW Chief Scientist into CSG activities and the Northern Territory review into hydraulic fracturing,” Ms Cartwright said.
“The science is in and these reviews found that the risk of unconventional gas extraction can be managed by sound regulation and professionalism from the operators involved.
“The regulation of the industry has improved in recent years with government agencies refocused on studying and monitoring the effects on groundwater and the environment.”
Ms Cartwright added that many landholders welcome the CSG industry, and that any delays in the supply of gas will not help the Australian economy, particularly the manufacturing sector.
Click here to view the Select Committee report.