SA Liberals propose southeast fracking ban

The South Australian opposition has proposed a 10-year ban on fracking in the state's southeast.

Newly Elected SA Liberal Opposition Leader Steven Marshall

The South Australian opposition has proposed a 10-year ban on fracking in the state's southeast. (AAP)

The South Australian opposition has proposed a 10-year ban on fracking in the state's southeast if the Liberals win the 2018 state election.

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall says the 10-year moratorium would protect jobs in the world famous agricultural region.

"It makes no sense to put this highly productive region and South Australia's enviable clean and green reputation at risk by opening up some of our best farming land to fracking," he said.

Fracking involves injecting liquid at high pressure into subterranean rocks to open cracks and allow oil and gas to be extracted.

On Tuesday, a state parliamentary committee found that fracking in the southeast did not have community consent and posed a serious risk to the environment.

Greens MP Mark Parnell said the proposal for a 10-year moratorium was a good first step but more was needed and the party would introduce legislation to parliament to ban fracking in all farming, residential and conservation areas.

"The people of the southeast want to grow premium food, fibre and wine rather than risking damage to water, soil, public health and reputation for the sake of uncertain and short term gas profits," he said.

The state government is yet to respond to the committee's report.

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis said later that the Liberal proposal was a knee-jerk reaction that would put future jobs and investment at risk.

He said since 1969 fracture stimulation in South Australia had proved to be safe, and until Mr Marshall's announcement had enjoyed bi-partisan support.


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Source: AAP


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