People should not take from the Facebook post below that I am a supporter of fracking. I clearly stated at last night’s forum that first and foremost I would represent the people of Vasse and their concerns. What I won’t do, like some other candidates (with the exception of Michael Baldock from the Greens who has a long held position against fracking) is make unresearched, knee-jerk commitments for or against something until I have fully researched the issue. I never claimed to be an expert on this issue. I know that there is no current proposal and if there was a proposal I would look at whether it would affect our valuable agricultural and tourism industries as well as our environment and water supply. If this was the case I would work with the community against such a proposal, just as I had worked with Troy Buswell and Barry House in successfully opposing the Margaret River Coal Mine. These are serious issues that deserve more thinking than grandiose statements in the final stretch of an election campaign. If the people of Vasse want someone who will carefully consider the issues and stand up for the community to get things done, I would welcome your support. Last time this process was taken there was no interest whatsoever from mining companies in this region and I suspect again there will be no interest. In the unlikely event a proposal did eventuate the best person to ensure the views and the concerns of the local community is heard is a Liberal who has direct access to the decision makers that matter. Today, unlike any other candidate, I have already spoken to the Minister for Mines to express my concerns and the concerns of the community. The Minister made it clear to me that there would not be any approval given to any project if there was any threat to the local environment or water supply in the same way the Liberals stopped the Margaret River Coal Mine. The Minister has agreed to provide me with further information should there be a bid. https://facebook/libby4vasse
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 09:38:50 +0000