NT fracking regulations 'Australia's weakest'

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p2121-David-MorrisLETTER TO THE EDITOR
 
Sir – We call on the government to release the long-awaited independent ‘fracking’ Inquiry report, and take swift action to overhaul NT’s onshore petroleum regulations which it says are dangerous, irresponsible and embarrassing.
 
In March 2014 Chief Minister Adam Giles appointed Dr Allan Hawke AC to undertake an inquiry into hydraulic fracturing in the Northern Territory. The government received the inquiry in November 2014 and to-date has not released its findings to the public.
 
If, as we suspect, the report calls for serious attention to given to the state of the NT’s regulatory regime, then a responsible approach must be taken.
 
The currently regulatory regime is by far the weakest in Australia. The correct order of things is to fix the laws first.
 
Until that occurs, the process of exploration and extraction of shale gas by fracking should be put on hold. It is simply not good enough for the government, upon release of the report, to pay lip service to the need to examine the regulations.
 
A meaningful response with strict timelines is required. We worry that current NT laws are open to be abused by any unscrupulous operator who is granted a permit. The Petroleum Act clearly places economic interests over environmental interests.
 
In fact, there is no specific requirement for the Minister, when issuing permits, to consider the need to preserve and protect the environment at all.
 
NT laws regulating “fracking” do not include many of the measures associated with best practice around the world.
 
There is no defined code or policy for the protection of groundwater resources or fugitive emissions and air quality and review rights are heavily restricted. The process is pretty well shrouded in secrecy.
 
It lacks the kind of transparency required in other jurisdictions, the kind of transparency the public wants, the kind of transparency the public deserves in matter which place our environment and water at a significant risk.
 
We note that the Petroleum Act currently does not require consideration of Indigenous rights or cultural matters. Additionally, the risks associated with the NT’s weak regulations are exacerbated by a significant underinvestment in the number of authorised officers and their support.
 
There needs to be a significant increase in the level of compliance monitoring. In our view, that requires a transfer of compliance powers to the EPA, an increase in the number of EPA authorised officers coupled with a sustained investment in the EPA over the long term.
 
The system needs a complete overhaul and this government is yet to take any steps to remedy these shambolic laws.
 
David Morris
Environmental Defenders Office NT
 
 

3 COMMENTS

  1. In his letter, David Morris asserts that the NT laws are the weakest in Australia, not the world.
    [ED – thanks for pointing this out, Phil. We’ve changed the heading.]
    Irrespective, the competency, transparency and integrity of this current NT Government and its leadership have come under the national and global scrutiny over the past several weeks.
    Questions have been raised across the board (even from within senior and general members of the CLP itself) about the leadership team and minion’s ability to make rational and informed decisions about anything! That scrutiny has exposed the fact that this administration cannot be believed or trusted with our social / environmental present and future.
    Decisions based on the need for greed, supported and promoted by this incumbent government along with national and global mining companies / corporations that have no vested interest in the long-term health, welfare or future of the Northern Territory are deplorable and unacceptable.
    It’s abundantly clear that legislation protecting the rights, health and well-being of Northern Territorians requires immediate review and strengthening.
    While they’re it, the NTG needs to demonstrate an elevated degree integrity and transparency by releasing the full report of findings identified by Dr. Hawke – NOW!

  2. Well … that worked! Report released the same day! About time they started to listen.
    Same day as Tasmania imposed a seven year ban. Yes, NT Government, you have so much respect around the country for your wisdom and integrity … NOT!

  3. Our water is precious, why are we trying to crack the stable structure that our water table lays in?
    Chemicals are injected when fracking, where do you think this goes to, but into the water?

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