Victoria Becomes First Australian State to Ban Fracking - EcoWatch
▻http://www.ecowatch.com/victoria-bans-fracking-1991994701.html
“It is clear that the Victorian community has spoken,” the premier’s office said in a statement. “They simply don’t support fracking. The government’s decision is based on the best available evidence and acknowledges that the risks involved outweigh any potential benefits to Australia.”
The Victoria government had conducted a parliamentary inquiry into fracking for onshore gas in the state and received more than 1,600 submissions. Most of these were opposed to fracking.
The newly imposed ban will help protect agricultural industries and workers, the government said.
“Our state is the nation’s top food and fiber producer with exports worth $11.6 billion,” the statement said. “The permanent ban protects our farmers and preserves Victoria’s hard-won reputation for producing high quality food.”
More than 190,000 people are employed in the agricultural sector in Victoria.
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