The Senate Committee is inquiring into the potential impact of the Landholders’ Rights to Refuse (Gas and Coal) Bill 2015.
This bill, if enacted into law, would place another layer of regulatory burden on the resources sector, discourage investment and damage energy security in Australia.
The bill proposes the Commonwealth enforce an independent assessment of the current and future risks associated with proposed gas or coal mining activity on or affecting that land and any associated groundwater systems.
This assessment would be over and above the existing approvals processes across Australia.
The State and Territory governments own the resources and it is up to those jurisdictions to regulate access.
The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) maintains that the existing State and Territory-based regulatory systems are extensive and already place very high standards on the resource extractive industries.
Environmental impact studies are comprehensive and projects are required to meet ongoing monitoring and reporting regulations.
As the unconventional gas industry has developed, governments and regulators have improved consultation, made available greater levels of information and improved regulatory processes.
These initiatives are designed to improve public confidence and trust in the science and assessment processes, underpinning regulatory approval of the extractive industries.
The Bill also proposes the progressive banning of hydraulic fracturing across Australia.
Projects that have attained approval for development or are in production would continue but it would be illegal to use hydraulic fracturing to stimulate gas release in any new shale, tight or coal seam gas projects.
Such a ban would effectively end the development of these gas resources and the industry in Australia.