Hoddy branded 'CSG mouthpiece'

Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson cited a press release from gas producer AGL industry lobby Dairy Connect in response to questions about Northern Rivers dairy co-operative Norco’s opposition to CSG development in its region.

Norco had previously stated in a submission to an Upper House inquiry that CSG and dairy industries could not coexist.

Greens mining spokesman Jeremy Buckingham derided Ms Hodgkinson’s choice of reference material.

“It’s appalling that the Minister for Primary Industries resorts to literally being an industry mouthpiece by reading our an AGL press release to answer a serious question,” Mr Buckingham said.

The press release cited by Ms Hodgkinson detailed the potential for Gloucester dairy farmers and AGL to co operate to develop a gas-powered powdered milk plant.

The minister also stated dairying activities carried out at Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute amid AGL’s Camden gas field as evidence the two industries could coexist.

“Obviously the proof is there; the proof is broad that the two industries can coexist quite harmoniously,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“Of course I respect Norco and its right to express an opinion but the evidence shows that these two industries can operate harmoniously side by side.”

Mr Buckingham seized on Ms Hodgksinson’s statement she had visited only one gas development, AGL’s Camden operation, and relied on her Nationals colleagues who had cited other controversial developments, primarily Gloucester and Narrabri.

“Ms Hodgkinson seems to have put no thought into the subject and is happy to just read from an industry press release," Mr Buckingham said.

“She admits she has not visited the gas area near Narrabri, nor been to Queensland where the coal seam gas industry has rapidly expanded in agricultural areas.”