Nationals MP for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams has refuted suggestions by the Manning Alliance that she has been absent from the community debate surrounding coal seam gas drilling, saying she has met with anti-fracking groups in her electorate since her election in March.
“Soon after being elected, I met with members of the Camden Haven Anti Fracking Group and have subsequently written to all of their members to keep them informed about coal seam gas issues,” Ms Williams said on Friday.
“Imagine my surprise when I read in the Manning River Times that according to a group called the Manning Alliance, I had been ‘absent from the community debate on the issue’. I called one of the members of this group and then travelled to Taree to meet with them.”
Ms Williams acknowledged the legitimacy of the groups concerns but re-iterated earlier assurances that, thus far, there has only been surveying work done in the Manning and Hastings valleys.
“What I will do is to continue to strongly urge the O’Farrell / Stoner Government to proceed with caution and to continue to implement environmental safeguards for all types of mining.”
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