TIM Rogers says he will resign from the Robe Liberal Party branch that has just re-elected him president if the opposition's leadership does not follow through on its promise to support a parliamentary inquiry on unconventional gas mining in SA.
And he believes "others will follow".
The outspoken farmer and businessman also has some words of wisdom for any politicians – of any persuasion – who pay lip-service to the government on the issue.
He said the South East Local Government Association and the seven South East councils had listened to the concerns of the community and made their positions known.
"But I am worried that our state and federal political representatives, in very safe seats, are not reflecting the local government and community view," Rogers said.
"No one should be encumbered by the party – they must be allowed to come out and say what they want."
A letter to Stock Journal earlier this year, in which he set down his opposition to unconventional gas mining in the SE, was quickly followed by a resolution – later carried – to the Robe branch calling for a moratorium.
"The members of my branch have been good enough to indulge me – I expect more from politicians," Rogers said.
"We are a voice in the wilderness, but we have made our view known."
Rogers is incensed that mining companies use the 'science-based' argument, but fail to recognise that unconventional gas mining has caused major environmental problems.
"They say the science is sound, but in the United States, there was a 5 per cent failure rate when exploration started," he said.
"But proponents of the process say the problems are negligible – that's clearly not the case, especially if you are drilling through the artesian basin."
Rogers says Labor government's clean and green policies are a sham.
"If it believes agriculture over an aquifer 3 metres to 4m below the surface, which recharges every year – the only one in Australia that does – can coexist with a mining process that threatens it," he said.
"The companies don't want to talk about the 200-metre exclusion zones around pipes and well-heads, roads criss-crossing farmland.
"What happens if the mining company goes bust - who foots the bill for remediation?"
Rogers, who has served as vice president of the SA Liberal Party's Rural and Regional Council, also questions the value of gas mining to the state – especially in the first five years, which are royalty-free.
"Agriculture is a great resource of the future – it should not be consumed by a redundant industry (gas exploration), he said.
"Russia is going to run gas pipe to China and SE Asia, so if that happens what will Australia's gas be worth?
* Full report in Stock Journal, July 10, 2014 issue.
