About the film
Accidental activist Dayne ‘The Frackman’ Pratzky takes us on a journey through a divided land as we meet people caught up in a modern day multinational gold rush – to secure and exploit coal seam gas. From conservative landowners, to radical activists and town-dwelling families, this unlikely coalition of Australians has come together to fight for their communities, their health, their land and their future.
Our central character is Dayne Pratzky – a knockabout pig shooter building a simple home on his block of land in Tara, central Queensland.
One day the gas company comes calling and demands access to his land for gas mining. Dayne is told he has no right to refuse access to his land, and so begins his journey as a reluctant activist that will take him round the world.
He introduces us to the people drawn into a battle that is crossing the ideological divide, bringing together a peculiar alliance of farmers, conservationists and political conservatives. Those characters include politician Bob Katter and environmentalist Bob Irwin, Lock The Gate President Drew Hutton and radio identity Alan Jones. Along the way Dayne finds love, tragedy and triumph as he battles to save his community from becoming an industrial wasteland. There are laughs, tears and near death experiences, and a raft of colourful Aussie Bush characters.
But it’s the underlying theme that is critical: Who owns our land? Who owns our future? Can we balance competing claims for our water, food and energy and still preserve the environment?
One thing is certain: the rush to extract Coal Seam Gas is forcing us to ask difficult questions about our way of life and what we value. These are the big questions of our time and we must all play a part in finding the solutions.
The ‘fracking’ issue is touted as the most important environmental story since revelations surrounding the dangers of asbestos emerged back in the 1960s. This story has the capacity to encourage public debate at a time when community groups and political leaders from all persuasions are demanding far more accountability from industry.
LIstening to this young man on Alan Jones this morning, his passion for justice to the Australian landowner and Farmer shines through his every word.
Dying to see the documentary.
