Arabic version: اقتراح حظر التكسير الهيدروليكي في أستراليا الجنوبية يواجه معارضة قوية

The South Australian government’s proposal to lift a ban on fracking in the state’s South East appears doomed to fail — with the opposition and One Nation both opposing it. The government argues fracking would help unlock gas reserves at a time of limited supply, but it’s a move that’s vehemently opposed by many in the local community. According to ABC News, the current moratorium on fracking is set to expire in 2028, regardless of the government’s proposal.

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals underground to extract gas or oil. This unconventional extraction method has been controversial due to concerns about potential contamination of underground aquifers. The South East region is known for its agriculture and wine production, and residents are worried about the impact of fracking on these industries.

The state government has indicated that any future fracking projects would require thorough environmental assessments and public consultations before receiving approval. However, the current proposal to end the moratorium early is unlikely to succeed in parliament, as both One Nation and the Liberal party have voiced their opposition. One Nation upper house MP Carlos Quaremba criticized the idea as detrimental to prime agricultural land.

Despite the opposition, the government maintains that exploring gas resources is essential for energy security, especially given forecasts of potential gas shortages as early as 2029. Premier Peter Malinauskas emphasized the need for action to secure future gas supplies, but the proposal’s fate remains uncertain as it requires parliamentary approval to proceed.