Coal mining

Alan Jones - Coal Seam Gas - National Press Club Address

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• published: 11 Dec 2011
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On October 19, 2011 at the National Press Club in Canberra Australia, Alan Jones delivered this address; "Australia's national Interest -- Food security and the protection of the Australian regional way of life." It has since become a rallying call for Australia's farmers and environmentalists, concerned about the country's true wealth; it's soil and water. Federal and State governments are now having to face an enormous backlash from the public as the dangers of coal seam gas mining, extraction and production are gradually revealed. As the farmers say; it's time to "Lock The Gate!". Since this speech, a federal Senate Inquiry into the coal seam gas industry has recommended a moratorium on coal seam gas projects in key parts of Queensland and New South Wales until the completion of studies into the impact on groundwater. Unusually, all sides of politics have endorsed the recommendation. More recently, an analysis of treated coal seam gas water discharged from the Santos owned Narrabri Coal Seam Gas project in north-west western New South Wales, commissioned by a coalition of environmental groups, shows that the level of ammonia in treated water returned to the river system is three times higher than it should be. More information, interviews and reports are available on my blog: http://ianmcpherson.com/blog/?page_id=759 Also of interest - the Lock The Gate Alliance: http://lockthegate.org.au/ -------------------------- Alan Jones is a graduate of Queensland and Oxford Universities and was speech writer and senior adviser to the then Prime Minister, Right Honourable Malcolm Fraser. Alan was elected Australian Rugby Union Coach in 1984 and coached Australia, until early 1988, to 89 victories in 102 matches. In 1984, he coached Australia's national team, the Wallabies, to their now-famous Grand Slam with victories over England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland and a Barbarian side made up of the best players of those countries and France. During this tour, one British newspaper described Alan Jones as "the most approachable and articulate Rugby person to visit Britain in the last 40 years". The London Times' sports writer stated that Alan "has the most analytical brain I have encountered in charge of a national side". Alan is regarded by many as one of Australia's most gifted public speakers. In March 1985, Alan Jones was recruited to join Radio 2UE as their morning radio host and quickly established himself in the competitive world of Sydney radio. Alan Jones has now joined the Macquarie Radio Network on Radio 2GB 873 in the 5.30am to 10am slot and returned Radio 2GB to the No.1 radio station in the Sydney market and has, yet again, been recognised by his peers as the No.1 talk personality and current affairs personality in Australian radio. In 2003, Alan Jones was awarded the inaugural Sir Roden Cutler Medal, commemorating the memory of the former distinguished soldier and New South Wales Governor, Sir Roden Cutler, for his services to charity. In June 2005 Alan was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (A.O.) in the Queen's Birthday Honours for service to the community as a supporter of and fundraiser for a wide range of not-for-profit organisations, to the media, and to sports administration. Alan Jones is former Deputy Chairman of the Australian Sports Commission and Deputy Chairman of the New South Wales Institute of Sport. Alan Jones appeared daily for 20 years until June 2007 making editorial comment on the Channel Nine Today Show.