A LOCAL environment group fighting to keep a coal mining company from operating in Moorabool Shire has said it has lost faith in the Victorian Environment Minister Ryan Smith’s ability to be fair.
Moorabool Environment Group president Kate Tubbs’ comment follows revelations the minister owns shares in two companies involved in coal seam gas exploration. The companies are Brisbane-based Galilee Energy, and Molopo Australia.
Ms Tubbs said ministers should not have shares, especially ones that go directly against the portfolio they were representing.
“It is not right,” Ms Tubbs said.
“He has got shares in a coal seam gas company and we are expecting him to protect us and look after our best interests.”
Though she wouldn’t comment on whether the minister should resign from his portfolio, Ms Tubbs said the minister should reconsider his position.
“He should consider if his position is tenable if people don’t trust him,” she said. “It has made him and his government look silly, and it doesn’t give me any confidence in approaching him and getting a fair deal.”
A government spokesperson said Smith had divested all of his personal shareholdings.
Speaking in Parliament on the issue, Mr Smith said he made the decision to stop the “mud-slinging”.
“I made the decision to sell my shares this morning because I think it is best that we do not have these ongoing, pathetic mud-slinging games the opposition insists on playing when really the scrutiny should be on how those opposite lost $1.4 billion on ICT (information and communication technology) projects during their term in government,” he said.
However, Ms Tubbs said it was too little too late.
“I just hope for the sake of Victorian people he has not compromised the environment for the sake of his shares,” she said.
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