Thousands join stop CSG protests across NSW

[icyfroth]

Up to 3,000 people have donned yellow clothing in the New South Wales north coast town of Murwillumbah as they march in protest to coal seam gas mining.

They were joined by about 1,000 protesters in Sydney's inner-west, who formed a human sign spelling out "Stop CSG".

Murwillumbah rally spokeswoman Amanda Shoebridge says comments by the New South Wales Government this week that coal seam gas mining is inevitable failed to dampen the community's resolve.

"People will really, after news like that, dig their heels in and say well 'actually mate, no, no we're not going to allow CSG in here and you don't have social licence to do it, you don't have the approval of the community and it's not going to happen'," she said.

Stop CSG Sydney spokeswoman Jacinta Green says there is nothing to prevent miners exploring the Sydney basin, water catchments and prime agricultural land.

"Not one inch of New South Wales has been left off limits to the coal seam gas industry," she said.

Similar protests are set to be held across the country as part of a national week of action against the CSG industry.
Protesters are concerned state governments are not doing enough to protect the environment from coal seam gas mining.

Murwillumbah rally spokeswoman Amanda Shoebridge says comments by the New South Wales Government this week that coal seam gas mining is inevitable

Is it really?

"People will really, after news like that, dig their heels in and say well 'actually mate, no, no we're not going to allow CSG in here and you don't have social licence to do it, you don't have the approval of the community and it's not going to happen',"

Does the government give a rat's behind about community concerns, and does it even have the power to stop CSG exploration?

Or is it too busy quarrelling about sexism and misogyny!?

[*new2vintage]

That will leave you cold, in the dark and without the internet.

[icyfroth]

Maybe we should stop using electricity

The way this country's being stripped of it's resources and our industry and jobs along with them we might not be able to afford it much longer anyway.

[lakeland27]

we have no industry because we cost too much. we cost too much because the dollar is so high. the dollar is too high because of the mining and recources sector has driven it up in addition to the dollars safe haven status. the dollar has safe haven status because our economy is so strong.

[icyfroth]

we cost too much because we can't compete with overseas imports who flood our retail market with cheap imports, sometimes below cost which they can do because in many cases they are subsidised by their government who in turn often receive foreign aid from developed countries. Australian manufacturing often don't even have acess to our own resources as cheaply as overseas competitors do. Our economy is strong because wer'e riding high on foreign investment. So far.

[lakeland27]

we cant compete on cost. labour costs mostly. there is nothing a government can do about that except breach free trade agreements , and we dont have any politicians willing to entertain the thought except katter, and he's bonkers.

[lakeland27]

Ginas gain is our loss.

[donnashuggy]

We are still apparently 40% richer than the average american, it has to do with the value of our dollar though.

[icyfroth]

We are still apparently 40% richer than the average american, it has to do with the value of our dollar though.

probably more due to the de-value of their dollar.

And Aussies may be living rich due to credit debt. Ultimately the debt will be called in and then watch out.

[donnashuggy]

and wage increases

[icyfroth]

and wage increases

offset by tax increases and the rising cost of living