This Bill will simply expand the water trigger to require the Minister to assess the significant impacts on water resources of all unconventional gas developments, as has been recommended by both the Northern Territory’s Independent Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing of Onshore Unconventional Reservoirs in the Northern Territory conducted by Justice Pepper and the Senate Inquiry into Oil and gas exploration and production in the Beetaloo Basin.
The bill should be supported because it strengthens environmental protections by ensuring that all forms of unconventional gas development are subject to scrutiny for their potential impacts on water resources. This is crucial for preserving natural ecosystems and maintaining clean water supplies for communities that depend on these resources [Judgment]. The expansion of the water trigger aligns with recommendations from scientific inquiries and the government's Nature Positive Plan, indicating a consensus on the need for such regulatory oversight. By protecting water resources, the bill supports equitable access to clean water, a fundamental right and necessity for all Australians.
The bill should be opposed because it may impose additional regulatory burdens on the unconventional gas industry, potentially hindering economic development and investment in this sector. This could lead to reduced competitiveness of the Australian energy sector on a global scale, and may negatively impact job creation and energy independence [Judgment]. Furthermore, the existing regulations already ensure that significant impacts on water resources are considered, making the expansion unnecessary and duplicative.
2023-10-18
Before Senate
HANSON-YOUNG, Sen Sarah
Unspecified
Climate Change / Environment, Energy Policy, Discrimination / Human Rights