Let’s get facts straight

January 12, 2012

AS expected the continuous confrontation between environmental groups, the Greens and the mining/resource sectors has resumed after a welcome break over Christmas.

The latest sally from the anti-mining sector involves a US study which attempts to draw a link between shale gas extraction using the widely condemned fracking process, as used in the US, with coal seam gas exploration and mining as proposed for NSW.

Claim has been met with counter-claim as the petroleum bodies and miners refute the message being put out by those who would like to see no coal seam gas industry and those who want to put an end to mining in NSW and eventually, the entire country.

And don’t be mistaken, there
are those who have the unashamed stated aim of ending mining in all forms.

Stuck in the middle are us poor mugs who have to try and soak in the message and discern what is fact and what is fiction.

Of course the old saying the first casualty of war is the truth applies here and there is no doubt that in some cases, particularly in this highly emotive and emotion-charged debate, truth is not being allowed to stand in the way of a good story if it means swaying the public.

Two things are clear.

We must maintain and protect a strong, economically viable agricultural industry and protect our prime farming and grazing country and valuable water resources.

But we must also embrace an industry which is in reality, the lifeblood
of our economy, responsible for more than 40 per cent of our export earnings.

The value of the resources and mining industries to our economy cannot be overstated.

So all the average bloke in the street is asking, is for the truth.

Don’t scare-monger, don’t try and whip up hysterical frenzy with suggestion, hearsay or mischief.

Work together to keep this country great. There are not many left.