After years of indecision and inaction about onshore gas in Victoria, the Liberals and Nationals are again dragging their feet and refusing to support the Andrews Labor Government’s historic Fracking Ban Bill without amendment.

The Resources Legislation Amendment (Fracking Ban) Bill 2016 returns to the Upper House of the Victorian Parliament this week.

After openly supporting an extension to the moratorium on conventional gas to 2020, the Coalition is now considering excluding it from the Bill.

This once again proves Matthew Guy’s Coalition is out of touch with regional Victoria.

The National Party, while claiming to be for the bush, continue to get rolled by the Liberals when the pressure’s on.

Farming communities across Victoria have been calling for a ban on unconventional gas for years – while also expressing serious concern about the potential impacts of onshore conventional gas exploration and development.

The Labor Government is giving these communities the certainty they deserve and it’s time Matthew Guy did the same.

Instead of backing our farmers, Matthew Guy is backing the champion of fracking, Peter Reith, for Victorian Liberal Party President.

It’s time the Liberals and Nationals stood up for country Victoria and declared their support for Labor’s Bill.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Resources Wade Noonan

“I call on Matthew Guy’s Liberals and Nationals to stand up for regional Victoria and support Labor’s Bill without amendment.”

“Our farming communities need certainty – and that’s exactly what Labor’s Bill gives them.”

“While we’re backing our farmers, Matthew Guy is backing fracking zealot Peter Reith for the Victorian Liberal Party presidency.”