The impact of mining coal seam gas on the Murray Darling Basin will be part of the focus of a current Senate inquiry according to The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams.

Senator Williams said the Rural Affairs and Transport Committee has had its terms of reference broadened as part of its inquiry into the management of the Murray Darling Basin.

He said the committee will take evidence on the economic, social and environmental impacts of coal seam gas mining, the sustainability of water aquifers and prime agricultural land, property rights and values, and the impact on regional communities.

Today the Leader of the Greens Bob Brown embarrassed himself by trying to establish another inquiry into the same issue.

“The Greens wanted to waste taxpayers money by asking a Senate committee to investigate the very issue that is being handled by the Rural Affairs and Transport committee.

It is obvious they are more interested in playing politics than helping to solve this vital and complex matter that is causing consternation amongst farming families in eastern Australia.

The Greens seems to be falling apart at the seams because at a Federal level they are obviously clueless where they stand on the mining of coal seam gas, while their counterparts in New South Wales have supported the Coalition policy prepared by the then Shadow Minister for Energy, Primary Industries and Mineral Resources Duncan Gay”, Senator Williams said.