PDC: CSG working group

This Working Group (WG) was established by the Policy Development Committee (PDC) on 28 January 2013.

Working group report
This working group was tasked with developing policy relating to reducing damage caused by Coal Seam Gas mining. The working group was chaired by Mark Gibbons and has developed the following policy text for presentation at the 20 February PDC meeting.

Recommendation
As per the MAUT decision table for the CSG Policy Working Group, this working group recommends the adoption of a ban on CSG mining.

Preamble
Pirate Party Australia proposes a ban on coal seam gas extraction as the uncertainty surrounding the extraction methods and the potential for damaging access to clean drinking water, the environment and food security far outweighs any potential economic benefit of the energy source. The scope of the threat to waterways and groundwater is poorly understood, but instances have come to light of previously unforeseen impacts[1]. In addition, CSG extraction carries a potential for significant fugitive emissions leaks, which reduces the effectiveness of the carbon tax and undermines the purported benefit of lower greenhouse gas emissions[2]. CSG mining represents a permanent risk factor to farmers already operating under difficult conditions. The right of farmers to exercise control over productive farmland is an essential pillar of Australia's food security in a period when food scarcity is becoming increasingly common, and global food prices are creeping up. Until our understanding improves, CSG mining must be subject to an onus of proof given the potential for significant unforeseen damage to the biosphere. We believe that a ban is necessary until technology improves and a strong scientific case can be made for the safety of this practice.

[1]: http://coalseamgasnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Contaminated-sites-and-accidents-related-specifically-to-CSG-in-Australia.pdf [2]: https://www.tai.org.au/index.php?act=display&pubid=1032&q=node%2F19

Policy text
The Pirate Party proposes an immediate ban on the extraction of Coal Seam Gas through hydraulic fracturing. '''Got feedback or suggestions? Send us an email at policydev@pirateparty.org.au.'''
 * This ban will apply to all new mines.
 * All mines operating in metropolitan areas or where permission is withheld by the landholder will be closed. A fund will be established to cover compensation in instances where access was previously officially sanctioned.
 * At ten year intervals, an independent panel will review available scientific evidence and present recommendations to the Government on the scientific case for lifting or modifying the ban.
 * Current policy on CSG overrides farmers' rights to the use and protection of their farmland. In addition to the proposed ban, farmers will be granted a new right in perpetuity, to refuse exploitation of coal seam gas deposits on land they own.

[| MAUT table link]

Meeting Schedule
This work group has concluded the drafting process and no further meetings are currently scheduled.

Previous Minutes
Meeting held 8:00PM, 4 February 2013