MEDIA
RELEASE
14th
June 2015
The
Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas celebrated “World Wide Knit in
Public Day” in Market Square in Grafton on Saturday.
A
highlight of this special knit-in was the unveiling of a pair of giant knitting
needles which were so large that they needed two stalwart Nannas to wield them.
During
the knit-in the Nannas called on local National MPs to stitch up the big issues
associated with the gas-mining industry in the Clarence and the rest of the
Northern Rivers.
“We
are very disappointed that the Nationals rejected the move to vote at their
State Conference to have the Northern Rivers made gasfield free,” said
spokesperson Lynette Eggins.
“Following
all the hype from some North Coast Nationals about listening to their
communities as well as the statements from State Leader Troy Grant, we were
beginning to think the Nationals were serious about keeping this area free of
that invasive, polluting industry.”
“There
are seven PELs (Petroleum Exploration Licences) in the Clarence
electorate. Three of these have
expired. They should not be renewed. And
we call on the Government to cancel the other four, two of which are held by
Metgasco.”
“We
also call on the Member for Lismore, Thomas George, to support his fellow
National, Chris Gulaptis, in having the whole Northern Rivers declared
gasfield free,” Ms Eggins continued.
The
Nannas believe that if the Nationals and their Coalition partners, the
Liberals, fail to declare this region gasfield free, it is very likely that
there will be more big confrontations like those seen at Glenugie, Doubtful Creek
and Bentley. The Nannas and many others were hoping that these confrontations were
a thing of the past in the Northern Rivers.
