ABC New England / By Patrick Bell and Lucy Thackray
Farmers in north-west New South Wales are furious at the defeat of a bill to temporarily put a stop to Coal Seam Gas activity in the state.
The Bill passed the NSW Upper House late on Wednesday night, and the Government unexpectedly brought it to a vote in the Legislative Assembly yesterday afternoon.
It was defeated 38 votes to 36.
The legislation had the support of Labor, the Greens, the Shooters Fishers and Farmers (SFF) and other independents.
The Deputy Premier John Barilaro has accused the SFF of having "sold out jobs in regional NSW to align themselves with the Greens, not because of outcomes, but because of politics".
Key points:
- The State Government defeated a bill that would have temporarily stopped all coal seam gas activity
- Farmers in the state's north-west are worried about the implications for the impending Narrabri Gas Project
- The government insists it has the community on its side