tony bourke on lateline, page-17

Hotelalphabeta,

I am glad that you, coming from a farming background, understand both sides of the story, and I do understand as well the example you made in regard to the Telecommunications company putting a tower on someone's land. The reason I know that, is because it's happened to me and I have got a Tower (or a few of them) on some of my lands. Most importantly though, one has to realise when dealing with those comanies, that Telecommunications companies have a right of access, under the Commonwealth Laws, (not under State Laws), in anyone's property. One thing that is in favour of the Landholder though, is that before they can acces your lands, you have a right to negotiate. And negotiate you can. So, if you will use your point of bargaining power as best as you can, you can end up with a good deal for ever and a day. I can speak from past experience in that regard. So, while I am extremely happy with what I got in return from them (Don't forget that I could not refuse entry under the Commonwealth Laws, but that I could only negotiate/mediate a price), I know that others haven't faired as well.
And, most importantly, they (The Communications carrier) didn't get away by trying and screwing me.

Going back to what the reasons are for some expressing their concerns about what we could be up for if that is left to run freely and without control, just take a minute and read what I have posted below.:

" "In regard to Arrow, the probable source of the chemicals was the coal seam itself and it was likely the chemicals were mobilised by the CSG extraction process."

And then, we have some other's comments, such as:

"Coal seam gas technology currently used in Australia is lethal and it will kill Australians, poison our water table and destroy the land," he said.

"And that comment was made to me by the head technical chief of Shenua Energy from China, who are the largest people in coal seam gas in the world."

The conference passed a motion calling on the National Party to protect water from contamination by gas exploration.

Clive Palmer says the Chinese abandoned, 20 years ago, the technology that is currently being used in Australia. He later told ABC TV that farmers' water supply and agricultural land are at risk from arsenic and carcinogens."

NOw hotelalphabeta, that's very scary indeed. And it shows the inexperience of some of our Companies Management and it's Directors.

And now, for China to come out and say that themselves, when they are reknown for their recklessness in dealing with environmental issues, to me, it says it all and cause of concerns of what and where we are heading to.

After all, we all are on this Earth with only a temporary visa, and therefore we will have to start thinking for our future generations and their generations to come. We have to take a step back, take five, and have a proper look before we will do something that could become irreversible. Too late then.

Yes, it is good to make money, but it is also good that our future generation will be able to enjoy it as well.


Finally, let's make it clear to all. I am not against CSG in any ways or form. After all I am heavily invested in CSG myself. All I am asking for, is for some common-sense to prevail, and let those people with experience in this field tell us and advise us on what they will be able to determine. One it is too late, it will be too late and irreversible.
I know that is will be very nice for us all to make money from our own investments, but we have to think for our future generations as well.

Cheers.