Download Response from Rod Smith, One Nation`s candidate for Page, to

Response from Rod Smith, One Nation’s candidate for Page, to
questionnaire from CSG Free Northern Rivers.
1.
1) Retention of current Federal environment powers, ruling out devolving them to the
states and opposing any fast-tracking of coal or gas developments?
One Nation is opposed to CSG mining and associated activities like
fracking, and is not in favour of devolving Federal powers to cash
strapped States to fast track coal or gas mines. Since its inception, One
Nation has warned robustly about the dangers of indiscriminate mining,
particularly from foreign interests. One Nation advocates a rigorous
and exhaustive environmental study into any proposed mining activity
with sincere efforts by industry and government to consult all
stakeholders. These outreach efforts by industry and government
should be fair and transparent, not mere PR exercises into coercing
people to accept the inevitable after the deal has been done.
2) No-go zones for coal and unconventional gas development on productive agricultural land,
sensitive natural areas, cultural heritages sites, and important water resources?
One Nation advocates no-go areas for mining in areas of high cultural,
historical, agricultural and environmental value.
3) No-go zones for coal and unconventional gas development on productive agricultural land,
sensitive natural areas, cultural heritages sites, and important water resources?
Refer to the above. If you’re advocating a ban on all mining, you’re
being unreasonable.
4) Legal rights under Federal laws for farmers and other landholders to say no to coal
and unconventional gas mining - ie requiring free and informed consent?
Is this the right question? What if in a particular area one large
landholder says yes to mining, but others don’t want it? Do you think
landholders will be able to resist a ‘good offer’?
5) A moratorium on all forms of unconventional gas mining until a robust scientific
research program has been completed?
One Nation believes that there should be a moratorium on
controversial and contentious mining, until the science is in. Funding for
the science should be unconditional of the result of the research, not
funded merely to obtain the desired result.
6)
Mandatory disclosure and hazard assessment of all chemicals used in fracking under
the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme and a ban on any
which are dangerous to human health or the environment?
One Nation doesn’t want fracking at all, hence a study into the
chemicals used in fracking could indicate tacit acceptance of fracking.
7) New measures to protect the health of communities from dangerous coal and
unconventional gas mining:
The issue of new measures to protect communities from dangerous
activities is a moot point. If the activity is hazardous, it shouldn’t be
undertaken in the vicinity of communities. Residents shouldn’t be
expected to wear P2 dust masks 24/7.
8) Requiring that greenhouse gas emissions from mining and gas production, including
fugitive emissions, are directly measured and fully paid for?
There again, any environmental damage should be remediated by the
entities involved, the costs of which should be factored in to the overall
cost at the beginning of the project, not the end.
9) The removal of taxpayer subsidies from the big coal and gas corporations and an
amended Mineral Resources Rent Tax so that corporations pay their fair share?
Every entity should pay their fair share of tax, and should be allowed
normal tax write offs in the running of their business, mining companies
are no different. One Nation has long advocated a more widespread
distribution of the benefits of mining minerals etc vested in the Crown.
10) A Royal Commission to investigate the management of coal and gas resources by
all Australian governments?
A Royal Commission should be a last resort to anything due to the
prodigious cost, time taken and concerns about the terms of reference
and subject matter of the enquiry. One Nation believes in the
application of the rule of law on a consistent basis, not cherrypicking of
laws by governments, corporations and other entities as to what is
quick, easy and profitable. This should apply to any area of national life.
Eg. Rolling out of more speed cameras to capture revenue while the
unrepaired roads are becoming more dangerous.