WAFarmers is disappointed with the State Government’s proposed fracking and gas legislation currently before Parliament, stating it would be unlikely to garner support from farmers and freehold land owners.
A Parliamentary Committee report on Implications for Western Australia of Hydraulic Fracturing for Unconventional Gas contained two recommendations in relation to the establishment of an independent arbiter for land owners and an agreement template for all parties, neither of which were included in the proposed legislation.
WAFarmers Chief Executive Officer said the Federation did not support the government’s proposed legislation as it stood without the inclusion of recommendations five and six from the Parliamentary Committee report.
“As the government is attempting to legislate on this very important issue, all recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee report must be included to safeguard farmers and freehold land-owners when negotiating with the resources sector,” Mr Brown said.
“The proposed legislation does not involve an independent reviewer for negotiations between landowners and the resource sector, nor does it make any consideration of the extensive work completed by APPEA, WAFarmers, VegetablesWA and the PGA to establish an agreed land access agreement.
“These omissions are huge oversights.”
WAFarmers will continue to advocate for the rights of farmers and land-owners to ensure these two vital recommendations are included in the proposed legislation.
ENDS.
All media requests must be directed to WAFarmers Media and Communications Officer Melanie Dunn on (08) 9486 2100 or [email protected].
