Federal member for Richmond Justine Elliot has resigned a major role within the Gillard Government as part of her fight against Coal Seam Gas mining.
“Today the Prime Minister announced that I have relinquished my role as Parliamentary Secretary for Trade,” Justine Elliot said in a Statement made at the weekend.
“I’ve made this decision as I want to continue the fight to stop Coal Seam Gas mining on the North Coast. This campaign conflicted with my obligations within the trade sector.
“I’ll always stand up for locals on the issues that are important to us: like calling for a moratorium on Coal Seam Gas mining in our region. In contrast, all the National Party MPs and candidates on the North Coast support harmful CSG mining in our area.
“As I’ve said previously, it’s time to draw a line in the sand on the important environmental issue of Coal Seam Gas mining. We know the community’s view. It is clear. Our community does not want Coal Seam Gas mining. I call on the National Party state MPs to tell the O’Farrell Government that our community demands a moratorium on CSG.
“The ball is totally in their court: the state government regulates and licenses coal-seam gas mining and they can stop it dead.”
