Spearheaded by Victoria state premier David Andrews, the Labour government on Tuesday put forward a permanent ban on the exploration and development of all onshore unconventional gas in the state, including hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and coal seam gas. The proposed permanent legislative ban, which will be introduced to Parliament later this year, will protect the ‘clean, green’ reputation of Victoria’s agriculture sector, which employs more than 190 000 people.
