TRANSCRIPT of Interview by Kirren McKechnie ABC
JESSICA van VONDEREN: The Crime and Misconduct Commission is
being asked to investigate whether the former Bligh Government broke the
law, amid claims it rushed the approval of two major coal seam gas
developments. Anti-CSG campaigner Drew Hutton is leading the charge;
concerned green issues were overlooked at the expense of some Queensland
communities. He'll take his case to the CMC on Tuesday. But the CSG
industry insists the environmental reviews were thorough. Kirrin
McKechnie reports.
(FOOTAGE OF PROTESTERS)
PROTESTERS: Hands off Tara, hands off Tara.
KIRRIN McKECHNIE: It's an industry that's been causing controversy ever since it arrived in Queensland. Now it's the approvals process for coal seam gas projects in the spotlight. And anti-CSG campaigners have the former Bligh Labor Government in their sights.
DREW HUTTON, LOCK THE GATE ALLIANCE: I think they broke the law. When they signed off on these approvals they broke the law.
(FOOTAGE FROM COURIER MAIL "DASH FOR GAS")
KIRRIN McKECHNIE: Drew Hutton suspects the Bligh Government breached the Environmental Protection Act after a report this week that public servants felt political pressure to quickly approve two gas projects, worth 34 billion dollars. It found bureaucrats complained they didn't have enough information about the projects and that environmental issues hadn't been properly analysed.
DREW HUTTON: What has occurred is a travesty. They simply short circuited the whole process for a development that they were absolutely anxious to get up and running. And along the way they just said well the people and the environment of Queensland are collateral damage.
(FOOTAGE OF THE TOWN TARA)
KIRRIN McKECHNIE: Many in the small western downs town of Tara feel they're one such community paying the price of a rush job. Mother of six Debbi Orr says she's collected the names of 26 families who have experienced a string of health problems since CSG companies started drilling in the area.
DEBBI ORR, TARA RESIDENT: We just don't know why. We don't know if it is the CSG industry but it's all happened since they've come to the area.
KIRRIN McKECHNIE: The very thought that environmental considerations could have been given the once over lightly leaves her horrified.
DEBBIE ORR: It's just unbelievable that they could do this. I mean there's just such a risk.
KERRIN McKECHNIE: The resource industry group APPEA insists the environmental reviews were thorough. But Drew Hutton is not convinced.
DREW HUTTON: I've been in public life for about 40 years in this State. I have never seen such a bad process. And I cut my teeth in the Bjelke-Petersen days. And everyone used to go on about Joh doing this and doing that for his mates. There was nothing like this.
CAMPBELL NEWMAN, PREMIER: It's very rare ladies and gentlemen that I would ever agree with anything that my former opponent in city hall days Mr Drew Hutton would say, but on this occasion I support what he has suggested. I should say that I believe that the companies concerned are companies that will do this right. We've put in place a Gas fields Commission to properly administer the industry. And I have no concerns at this time about anything that they're doing. But in terms of the process and what may or may not have happened, well Drew Hutton is right to raise those concerns, I share those concerns and I think the CMC should be looking at it.
KIRRIN McKECHNIE: But the State Opposition insists it's not at all ruffled by a possible probe saying the Right to Information documents don't uncover any directions from Bligh Ministers to rush the approvals process.
JACKIE TRAD, OPPOSITION ENVIRONMENT SPOKESWOMAN: The CSG issue approval under investigation here was the culmination of three and a half years of EIS. It had hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of environmental conditions placed on it and I'll let that speak for itself very happy for the CMC to have a look into it.
KIRRIN McKECHNIE: And look at it the CMC will, if Drew Hutton and Campbell Newman get their way. Not that the Premier's support for his cause has impressed the anti-CSG campaigner.
DREW HUTTON: Campbell is just simply trying to put the boot into the Labor Party and he can do that as much as he likes as far as I'm concerned because they deserve it. But that's just an easy shot. And if he's sincere then he'll do something about what's happened.
For more on this story go to : http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-15/anti-csg-campaigner-wants-cmc-investigation/4522528
Images @ Melonpopzdropz Flickr(FOOTAGE OF PROTESTERS)
PROTESTERS: Hands off Tara, hands off Tara.
KIRRIN McKECHNIE: It's an industry that's been causing controversy ever since it arrived in Queensland. Now it's the approvals process for coal seam gas projects in the spotlight. And anti-CSG campaigners have the former Bligh Labor Government in their sights.
DREW HUTTON, LOCK THE GATE ALLIANCE: I think they broke the law. When they signed off on these approvals they broke the law.
(FOOTAGE FROM COURIER MAIL "DASH FOR GAS")
KIRRIN McKECHNIE: Drew Hutton suspects the Bligh Government breached the Environmental Protection Act after a report this week that public servants felt political pressure to quickly approve two gas projects, worth 34 billion dollars. It found bureaucrats complained they didn't have enough information about the projects and that environmental issues hadn't been properly analysed.
DREW HUTTON: What has occurred is a travesty. They simply short circuited the whole process for a development that they were absolutely anxious to get up and running. And along the way they just said well the people and the environment of Queensland are collateral damage.
(FOOTAGE OF THE TOWN TARA)
KIRRIN McKECHNIE: Many in the small western downs town of Tara feel they're one such community paying the price of a rush job. Mother of six Debbi Orr says she's collected the names of 26 families who have experienced a string of health problems since CSG companies started drilling in the area.
DEBBI ORR, TARA RESIDENT: We just don't know why. We don't know if it is the CSG industry but it's all happened since they've come to the area.
KIRRIN McKECHNIE: The very thought that environmental considerations could have been given the once over lightly leaves her horrified.
DEBBIE ORR: It's just unbelievable that they could do this. I mean there's just such a risk.
KERRIN McKECHNIE: The resource industry group APPEA insists the environmental reviews were thorough. But Drew Hutton is not convinced.
DREW HUTTON: I've been in public life for about 40 years in this State. I have never seen such a bad process. And I cut my teeth in the Bjelke-Petersen days. And everyone used to go on about Joh doing this and doing that for his mates. There was nothing like this.
CAMPBELL NEWMAN, PREMIER: It's very rare ladies and gentlemen that I would ever agree with anything that my former opponent in city hall days Mr Drew Hutton would say, but on this occasion I support what he has suggested. I should say that I believe that the companies concerned are companies that will do this right. We've put in place a Gas fields Commission to properly administer the industry. And I have no concerns at this time about anything that they're doing. But in terms of the process and what may or may not have happened, well Drew Hutton is right to raise those concerns, I share those concerns and I think the CMC should be looking at it.
KIRRIN McKECHNIE: But the State Opposition insists it's not at all ruffled by a possible probe saying the Right to Information documents don't uncover any directions from Bligh Ministers to rush the approvals process.
JACKIE TRAD, OPPOSITION ENVIRONMENT SPOKESWOMAN: The CSG issue approval under investigation here was the culmination of three and a half years of EIS. It had hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of environmental conditions placed on it and I'll let that speak for itself very happy for the CMC to have a look into it.
KIRRIN McKECHNIE: And look at it the CMC will, if Drew Hutton and Campbell Newman get their way. Not that the Premier's support for his cause has impressed the anti-CSG campaigner.
DREW HUTTON: Campbell is just simply trying to put the boot into the Labor Party and he can do that as much as he likes as far as I'm concerned because they deserve it. But that's just an easy shot. And if he's sincere then he'll do something about what's happened.
For more on this story go to : http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-15/anti-csg-campaigner-wants-cmc-investigation/4522528
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