Media Release

04 September 2017: KAP Federal Member Bob Katter has introduced legislation into Parliament today that if successful will see a Commission of Inquiry, with all of the powers of a Royal Commission, investigate the CSG industry.

The Commission of Inquiry (Coal Seam Gas) Bill 2017 will focus on the negotiating powers of parties involved; impacts on land, water and communities; agreement making and payment for damages and compliance.

The Bill, responds to concerns raised about the conduct of Coal Seam Gas companies and their negotiations with landowners, along with inadequacies in the Government compliance processes.

“There has been over 2000 registered formal complaints against this industry and there has only been action taken against one tiny little Australian company. That’s 2000 complaints and not one single action by the ALP and LNP governments, Mr Katter said.

“Police cars in Queensland drove around with Santos advertisements on them.

“In the case of Drew Hutton from Lock the Gate they asked the Inspector of Police why he used the mining act instead of the riot act and he said he was advised to. He was advised by the bloke “driving the car around”, this driver “advisor” turned out to be the local mining boss.

“It will zero in on Ministers who are now on the boards of oil companies who made these decisions. There are people that have made ‘squillions’ of dollars out of this. The relationship between Government and CSG needs to be put under the spotlight.”

Chinchilla cattleman Kane Booth, who is currently embroiled in a legal battle with gas giant QGC over infrastructure they put on his farm, joined Mr Katter in Parliament as he introduced the Bill.

Mr Booth says QGC’s unsolicited operations on his land destroyed his business and that the Commission of Inquiry would make the Government hold them accountable.

“It’s about compliance, that’s the big issue. The gas companies don’t abide by the environmental requirements, and the Government doesn’t enforce or over view them.

“It’s a massive imbalance – how can one person or farmer stand up against multibillion dollar companies. We just can’t compete with the legal teams.

“As a farmer your hands are tied and “they own everyone” from our experiences. Much of our station will now be in a permanent man made drought”.

Mr Booth broke down in front of media as he recalled the toll the last six years has taken on his family and friends including his neighbor who threw in the towel after a long, bitter confrontation.

“My wife has attempted suicide twice. It’s hard for us farmers you know, I have spent $500k in legals you can’t get these people into court. Who is going to help? There is no one to help or keep these people accountable.

”The State Government has acknowledged the breaches to the Environmental Authorities and acknowledged that there is potential diversion of the overland flow across the entire Surat Basin but have taken no action. Many properties are now experiencing a man-made drought!

“You know when Adam Bandt Leader of the Greens and Bob fight together, two who seldom agree, this must be serious.

“These people have to be held accountable for the devastation they have caused in the entire Surat Basin and they need to review these people from an unbiased independent body,” Mr Booth said.

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