NSW Greens have called for the state government to adopt a policy that would end compensation payments for cancellation of fossil fuel exploration permits, after it was revealed money was paid to Pangaea Resources for the cancellation of two permits covering large parts of the Hunter, Northern and North Western NSW.
Ironically, Pangaea has reported it voluntarily handed in the permits in February this year, as its exploration activities had not revealed sufficient resource to warrant full-scale exploitation.
“Taxpayers would also like to know how much of their money has been paid in compensation to cancel these licences,” Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham said.
“The Greens do not support any of taxpayers’ money being paid to fossil fuel companies who have known for many years that the people of NSW are opposed to their toxic industry.
“If the government supported legislation introduced by the Greens to allow licences to be cancelled without compensation in the public interest then taxpayers would not have to foot this bill.”
