FORMER federal Independent MP Tony Windsor wants objective science to guide coal seam gas (CSG) mining approvals, and not politics, amid fears valuable regulations could be axed in the Coalition's heavyweight push to cut excess red tape.
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In launching a new study on CSG last week in Canberra, Mr Windsor said Australia risked suffering a major environmental incident if CSG extraction was expanded without proper scientific oversight and controls.
Mr Windsor said it was in the best interests of mining companies to let objective science guide risk assessments for project approvals.
The study - Fracking the future: Busting industry myths about coal seam gas - was compiled by Canberra based think-tank the Australia Institute, using data from online surveys in August and November last year.
It highlighted results showing; 56 per cent of Australians wanted more CSG regulations; 71pc think the federal government should be responsible for regulating the industry rather than individual States, and only 7pc think there should be less regulation.
"This puts the general public's views at odds with the federal government's views," the report said.
It also said 86pc of people surveyed wanted more information about CSG projects when they were proposed in local areas.
Colin Bettles
National political writer for Fairfax Agricultural Media.
National political writer for Fairfax Agricultural Media.
