Victoria Has Become the First Australian State to Ban Fracking

The Victorian Government is introducing legislation to permanently ban exploration and development of unconventional gas in the state, including coal-seam gas and fracking.

Premier Daniel Andrew said the ban would protect the reputation of Victoria’s agriculture sector and alleviate farmers’ concerns about environmental and health risks associated with hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking.

But after years of debating and political infighting about the practice, the Daniel Andrews Labor government has announced that it will introduce a permanent legislative ban to State Parliament later in 2016.

The VFF conducted a survey a year ago that revealed our members’ greatest concern was the potential for cross-contamination of aquifers as a result of drilling for gas. The Australian Worker’s Union praised the fracking ban, but told the ABC that the latter decision would cause “an exodus of investment and jobs from Victoria”. “With support from the crossbench in the Senate, this bill could present a united front which challenges the government to prioritise farmland, water and clean energy over multinational profits”.

But the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association released an expectedly scathing response, saying the Victorian Government was “playing politics… just days after the COAG Energy Council confirmed the urgent need to develop new gas supply to prevent a looming shortfall”.

Mr Andrews said any suggestion the ban could cost jobs was “purely speculative” because no viable deposits had been found. “However, that offers large opportunities for SA Oil & Gas explorers”.

“For the farming communities that have been fighting to stop this industry for over five years now, this is a wonderful day”, she said.

“We hope to see other states and territories following Victoria’s lead”, Prof Will Steffen said in a statement.

Scientific and environmental studies will be conducted on the risks and benefits of drilling for onshore gas, the statement said.

“Our farmers produce some of the world’s cleanest and freshest food”.

A Victorian parliamentary inquiry into the issue in 2015 received more than 1,600 submissions, majority opposing the practice.

“This is an incredible victory for those farmers, Greens and environmentalists who have worked together to highlight the risks of unconventional gas and demonstrate the clear community opposition to toxic gasfields”, Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham said.

“We have carefully considered the parliamentary inquiry’s key findings and recommendations, consulted widely and made our decision on the best available evidence”.

Exemptions to the ban include gas storage and carbon storage research.