Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. I would like to point out for the benefit of Senator Joyce and others in the chamber the differences between this proposed inquiry and the earlier inquiry; they are chalk and cheese. The first inquiry focused only on the Murray-Darling Basin; this inquiry is nationwide. It would look at all the impacts of coal seam gas, including shale gas in WA. It would also, importantly, look at the coastal impacts of coal seam gas export. We have seen the massive destruction in Gladstone Harbour and we have already had UNESCO, the world heritage body, here concerned about Gladstone and our reef. As well, we have seen 91 per cent of Australians not wanting the reef to be turned into a rubbish dump. There is clear community concern and clear need for the Senate to have better information about these issues.

This inquiry would also look in much closer detail at the climate impact of this industry, which is of course a fossil fuel, and therefore highly polluting. We would look at things like fugitive emissions and the overall life cycle greenhouse gas impacts of coal seam gas. This is new information that the Senate needs to inform itself with in order to tackle this massive fast-growing, hungry, dirty industry.

I find it incredibly disappointing that Senator Joyce is opposing looking at the impacts of coal seam gas. One wonders at the influences on Senator Joyce. I think it is a great shame when no-one in this parliament, except the Greens, is going to vote to examine the impacts of coal seam gas, which is an issue that the community is incredibly concerned about and will be very disappointed to learn about. I note that the Independents, of course, will sit with us, and I thank them for their support. The Australian public will not forget this and they certainly will not forget where Senator Joyce is when this vote comes.