martes, 9 de mayo de 2017

Australia Fracking: NT Labor will lift fracking ban: ex chief






9 News
APP
May 4, 2017



Former Northern Territory chief minister Terry Mills says the government's optimistic first budget suggests Labor will abandon a fracking moratorium to solve its economic challenges.

The budget deficit has nearly tripled to $1.3 billion, and the Gunner government doesn't expect a surplus in its term as it ramps up spending to kickstart the economy.

Labor says it won't lift a ban on the controversial gas extraction method until an independent inquiry releases its report in December.

But Mr Mills, a former Country Liberals leader turned independent, suspects the government has pre-empted the findings and will allow hydraulic fracturing, in the absence of any other tough budget decisions.

"I believe you are saving your political capital for that time because it does not make sense otherwise," Mr Mills told parliament.

"I cannot see how it is that you could be in such a position economically and make such modest decisions in terms of revenue and the failure to develop a comprehensive narrative that is going to take us beyond the four years."

On Tuesday Treasurer Nicole Manison outlined her fiscal plan for the forward estimates amid the challenges of negative population growth and cuts to the NT's share of the GST.

The NT is also facing a private investment gap between the wind-down of the $US34 billion ($A46 billion) Inpex LNG project and defence infrastructure spending.

Mr Mills said onshore gas exploration would fill that void, help solve Australia's energy crisis and boost the national economy.

But NT Minister for Primary Industry and Resources Ken Vowles said no predetermined decision on the fracking inquiry has been made.

"We will not put at risk existing fishing, farming, tourism and cattle jobs for the possibility of jobs from fracking," he said, despite approving Jemena's $800 million 622 kilometre Northern Gas Pipeline linking Tennant Creek to Queensland's Mount Isa on Wednesday.

Anti-fracking group NT Lock the Gate Alliance says this approval undermines the government's inquiry and may increase gas prices….



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