The Safeguarding Agricultural Land and Water from Mining Bill aims to protect prime agricultural land, and the rivers and aquifers that feed that land, from mining.
There is no sensible argument or reason why a bill such as this ought not be in legislation - it is not a threat to mining, it simply aims to increase the safeguards to the necessities of our lives - clean water and fresh food supplies.. It is not some power ploy by the Greens - it is simply a response in support of local communities, especially in the Liverpool Plains area of NSW (Tides of change), concerned not only about their own businesses but also the future for their children and the larger community. The Greens did not start this protest - the community did.
This bill was introduced to the NSW Parliament on 4 June 2009 by Lee Rhiannon of the NSW Greens, however it was defeated by one vote which in itself is a good indication that it is a very significant issue.
The current NSW state Government, of course, opposed the bill - one may be forgiven for asking why. The primary industries minister, Ian Macdonald reportedly told Parliament "that mining is essential for the state's economy...." and "that there were sufficient safeguards now....".
This bill has been drafted to protect the most valuable farming and food producing land in the areas under attack from mining, it is not aimed at mining per se. It would not have any significant effect on the states economy. If MacDonald thinks there is sufficient protection now, he is at odds with glaring facts about the environmental damage from mining and the observations by those communities affected by mining. Even so, what harm can come from a bit more "safeguard" at no cost.
The labor party was supported by the "shooters party" and "Fred Nile". Why the "shooters party" voted against the bill is unclear it seems, but what Fred nile is reported to have said as to why he opposed it defies belief - " "I can not support this bill. It's not because of the content, it is because if the bill is to allow and will give a great ability for the Green party to blow their trumpets," - what sort of fool would act like that ?
I would expect a more rational reason from a 7 year old - if our leaders (I use that term loosely) are going to act like this, there is no hope. Thank goodness Nile is not a major decision maker.
It seems anything the Greens come up with must be opposed out of spite - what nonsense - the Hansard record of the deceptive and bigoted statements by Fred Nile during the debate on this bill demonstrates some of the worst behavior from politicians we have to contend with - it is worth a read ( Hansard Extract)
Independent MP Rev. Dr Gordon Moyes who supported the bill demonstrates an intelligent and considered response to the issue and sums it up nicely :
"Let us consider an activity that is known to be harmful — for instance, the long-established, unfettered mining exploration permitted by the State Government, this tearing up of the very fabric of life, with resulting despoliation of groundwater, and human and animal ecosystems and habitats, leaving them unusable afterwards, and taking all the financial profits offshore to foreign shareholders, so that it is not even we who get a benefit from this devil's bargain. That is an obscene scenario, but that is what is happening right now, as we speak..."
I doubt if the affected communities will give up their protests - indeed they may redouble their efforts in opposing this "tearing up of the very fabric of life" and we should all show our colours now on this issue.