ONE NSW Minister has doubled down on his calls to extinguish expired extraction licences in his electorate.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson has stood behind his calls from January this year for the state government to "squash" the zombie petroleum exploration licences (PELs), at least in his electorate.
"It is 100 per cent still my position," Mr Anderson told The Land.
"I don't want coal seam gas in the Tamworth electorate.
"There are CSG operations up around Narrabri and that neck of the woods, which is the appropriate place for them.
"I don't believe it should be anywhere near my communities in the Tamworth electorate and I will keep saying that until the cows come home."
Read more from our Slay the zombie PELs campaign:
- Gas donation questions raised by Nats zombie PEL inaction
- North West shires renew push to extinguish zombie PELs
- Independent MP's bill would slay zombie PELs
- Zombies PELs future in doubt: former Ag Minister
- Lack of 'viability' prompts hardened opponent's fresh calls
- Stuck in zombie PEL limbo for 14 years
The NSW Racing, Better Regulation and Innovation Minister's comments come after an Upper House inquiry into the zombie PELs had begun earlier this month.
"The community has the right to be pissed off they didn't show up to explain how they'll deal with the threat," Mr Field said earlier this month.
"It's a real sign of disrespect to those living with the uncertainty of zombie PELs for more than a decade.
"It's an important issue for many and they're treating the community with contempt. They played politics by kicking it to an inquiry to avoid debate during the by-election and they've made a mockery of the community concerns."
However, Mr Anderson defended the government saying he would "do what I need to do at a local level to protect my communities".
"I'm not here to grandstand in front of an Upper House inquiry, I'm here to look after my people and my communities, which is what I do every day of the week."
However, Mr Anderson said he was unware of when that plan would be revealed.
"He [John Barilaro] will announce that when it's ready," he said.
"I'm sure it is still in progress and we will wait for that announcement."
The push to extinguish the zombie PELs came right to Mr Anderson's front door last month when a group of concerned landholders calling for the government to act gathered outside his Fitzroy Street office and the Moree office of Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, who has also called for the zombie PELs to be canned.
"That sentiment has been strong in the community for many years, that's why it's something that I am very strong on," Mr Anderson said.
"The beauty of democracy is people being able to voice their concern without fear or favour, I welcome that and I have a lot of people who express their views to me regularly.
"To have that crowd outside my office shows me they really want to express their view, I welcome that and I respect their views."
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