Take action to make the fracking moratorium law!
The newly elected Liberal Government lead by Premier Stephen Marshall was elected on a promise to ban fracking in the South East for 10 years. However a verbal promise is not enough. We have seen recently in the NT a Government elected on a promise to ban fracking reverse their decision after a so-called “independent inquiry”. We can’t afford to let a change of policy or Government in SA undermine this commitment. The moratorium must become law.
Farmers, winemakers, tourism businesses and the community of the Limestone Coast need your support to provide certainty for the future. Please take a moment to send a letter to the Government calling on them to move immediately to enshrine the moratorium in law.
Troy Bell, Independent Member for Mount Gambier, has foreshadowed a private members bill to be tabled on July 4th, when he will move to legislate the 10-year moratorium. We need to ask the State government to support this legislation, or move quickly themselves to legislate the moratorium.
To help you to write your own personal letter we have provided you here with some tips and the names and addresses of the relevant politicians. If you find it difficult to write a letter we have prepared two ‘pro-forma’ letters for you: one to the State Liberal politicians, and one to other members asking them for support to legislate the moratorium. If you don’t live in the Mount Gambier or MacKillop electorates we have provided a link for you to get the address of your own electoral representative.
If you cant find the time to write yourself please visit this link to click and send a message.
Tips for writing letters to politicians
Politicians and Governments are there to represent you. A personalised letter is one effective way to let your views be known. Personal letters carry more weight, but if you are unable to write your own letter you can use our ‘pro-forma’ letters below.
- Use full title of politicians
- Write individual letters to each politician (see addresses below)
- Use a heading in your letter – i.e. “Re: Legislate the South East 10-year moratorium”
- Stay positive and polite but be firm about the changes you want.
- Keep it short and to the point – no more than one page, and use your own words.
- Send by mail or email (or both for emphasis)
- Congratulate pollies on winning government, their cabinet position, and the fact that they are verbally supporting their election promise of a 10-year-moratorium on fracking.
- However, you consider that the verbal commitment does not provide the certainly that that farmers, winemakers, tourism operators, small business and the community need, nor does it protect the South East from any potential change of government or government policy over the next 10 years, so it is urgent that the moratorium be legislated as soon as possible.
- Troy Bell has foreshadowed that he will move to legislate the 10-year moratorium and you would like the State government to support this legislation, or move quickly to legislate the moratorium with their own legislation.
- There is widespread opposition to fracking across South Australia (and nationally and internationally if you like). No social licence.
- There is a global shift away from dangerous and polluting fossil fuels to renewable energy sources
- If you like elaborate: The current NT Territory government made a verbal promise before the election, brought in an inquiry, and now has decided to allow fracking.
- At the NT Labor annual conference this month Labor party members voted overwhelmingly to ban fracking.
- Add a personal note about why this is important to you.
- Indicate you would like a response, and include your name and address (postal and/or email)
Proforma Letter to State Liberal Politicians
(cut and paste then edit. Note simple click and send version available soon but your personalized letter will be more effective)
| (Date)
(Full Name, Title and Address of politician)
Dear (Premier, Hon …)
Congratulations on winning government, your position as (premier, minister of ..) and your announcement that the State Liberal government will honour their election promise of a moratorium on fracking in the South East.
The Marshall Government’s commitment to the 10 year moratorium on fracking recognises community opposition and the lack of social licence for fracking the South East, both locally and across the State, and the importance of the Limestone Coast in terms of food, wine, agriculture and tourism.
It also recognises the global shift away from dangerous and polluting fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources.
However the moratorium is currently only a verbal commitment and does not protect the South East from any potential change of government or government policy over the next 10 years.
Legislation for the moratorium is required to provide the certainty that farmers, winemakers, tourism operators, small business and the community need to invest in the future.
I note that Troy Bell, Independent Member for Mt Gambier, is soon to table legislation regarding the 10-year moratorium.
I am asking you to support Troy Bell’s legislation of the 10 year moratorium, or alternatively honour your election commitment and move quickly to enshrine the promised 10 year South East fracking moratorium in legislation.
I look forward to your reply.
Yours Sincerely,
(Your name and contact details.) |
Suggested State Liberal Politicians to be contacted, and their contact details:
The Hon Steven Marshall, Premier
dunstan@parliament.sa.gov.au
Unit 2 90-94 The Parade, Norwood SA 5067
08 8363 9111
The Hon Rob Lucas, Treasurer
rob.lucas@parliament.sa.gov.au
Parliament House, Adelaide SA 5000
08 8237 9100
The Hon Dan van Holst Pellekaan, Minister for Energy and Mining
stuart.portaugusta@parliament.sa.gov.au
Shop 2, 5 Young Street, Port Augusta SA 5700
08 8642 3633 08 8566 2099
The Hon Tim Whetstone, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development
chaffey@parliament.sa.gov.au
PO Box 959, Berri SA 5343
08 8582 4230
The Hon David Speirs, Minister for Environment and Water
black@parliament.sa.gov.au
PO Box 121, Brighton SA 5048
08 8296 9833
Mr Nick McBride, Liberal Member for MacKillop
nick.mcbride@sa.liberal.org.au
30 Ormerod Street, Naracoorte 5271
0488 965 71
Proforma Letter to Other Politicians
| (Date)
(Full Name, Title and Address of politician)
Dear (Hon, Mr )
The Marshall Government’s commitment to a 10 year moratorium on fracking in the South East recognises community opposition and the lack of social licence for fracking the South East, both locally and across the State, and the importance of the Limestone Coast in terms of food, wine, agriculture and tourism.
It also recognises the global shift away from dangerous and polluting fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources.
However the moratorium is currently only a verbal commitment and does not protect the South East from any potential change of government or government policy over the next 10 years.
Legislation for the moratorium is required to provide the certainty that farmers, winemakers, tourism operators, small business and the community need to invest in the future.
I note that Troy Bell, Independent Member for Mt Gambier, is soon to table legislation regarding the 10-year moratorium.
I am asking you to support Troy Bell’s legislation of the 10 year moratorium, or alternatively to ask the Marshall Government to honour its election commitment and move quickly to enshrine the promised 10 year South East fracking moratorium in legislation.
I look forward to your reply.
Yours Sincerely,
(Your name and contact details.) |
Other relevant politicians
Mr Troy Bell, Independent Member for Mt Gambier
mtgambier@parliament.sa.gov.au
24a Bay Road, Mount Gambier SA 5290
08 8724 9944
Mr Tony Pasin, Federal Member for Barker
Tony.Pasin.MP@aph.gov.au
27 Commercial Street East, Mount Gambier SA 5290
08 8723 2230 02 6277 4864
Or your own electoral representative
Click on this link to take you to the SA Government Parliamentary website to obtain details of your own electoral representative.
http://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Members/Pages/List%20of%20All%20Members.aspx
The Limestone Coast region in the SE of SA is prime agricultural land, home to the Coonawarra wine region, a crucial food bowl and a thriving tourism industry. But gas mining threatens the life blood of the region – the groundwater, as well as our clean, green image and the health of our community.
