Northern Territory lifts fracking ban, opening up 700,000 sq km to gas exploration

The Northern Territory government has lifted a ban on hydraulic fracturing of onshore gas that will open up more than half of the territory’s land mass to the controversial practice.

 The Northern Territory has lifted a ban on fracking ban
and opened 51% of the territory to gas exploration. 

The first exploration fracking by petroleum companies is expected to occur early next year after the implementation of a regulatory regime and new laws, which the government insists will be strict.

The issue has sharply divided territorians, many of whom believe fracking threatens water supplies, but the chief minister, Michael Gunner, said on Tuesday the industry would create jobs.

Read the story from The Guardian - “Northern Territory lifts fracking ban, opening up 700,000 sq km to gas exploration.”

'Wide, long, and loud applause' for state-wide fracking ban

Victorian Premier. Daniel Andrews, had, for
various reasons, been out of favour with many
people, but his historic state-wide ban on
fracking had won him, and his government
wide, long, and loud applause.

A permanent ban on fracking and all exploration and development of unconventional onshore gas will be introduced across Victoria, in a move the state government described as historic and a first for Australia.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the government would introduce the ban later this year, to protect the state's valuable farming sector, which earned billions of dollars in exports each year and employed nearly 200,000 people.

"We've listened to the community and we're making a decision that puts farmers and our clean green brand first," he said.

South Gippsland resident Deborah O'Connor said she was "thrilled" with the government's decision.

Read the story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Victoria to ban fracking: 'The health and environmental risks ... outweigh any potential benefits'.”