SA Liberals defend vote to block 'fracking' inquiry despite election pledge
ABC An overhead photo of an shale gas exploration well near Penola in the state's south-east.
The South Australian Opposition says it voted against a Greens inquiry into unconventional gas despite its election pledge to support one because the terms were too broad.
It sided with the government on Friday to vote down the Greens' motion for a parliamentary inquiry into unconventional gas.
Naracoorte-based MP Mitch Williams said the proposed terms were too broad and he would only support an inquiry if it were more specific to the south-east.
The area, which is host to prime farmland and the renowned Coonawarra wine region, has been heavily earmarked by the State Government for shale gas extraction - a form of mining that relies entirely on the controversial process of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.
Early exploration has resulted in heavy protest from the community, with multiple local governments, landowners and community groups calling for an inquiry.
"We have a very important oil and gas industry in South Australia," Mr Williams said.
"It is very important for the State's economy, but more importantly, it's a very important source of energy in this state and without it we would be in diabolical trouble.
"The inquiry, as proposed by the Greens, I believe, threatened that."
The Liberal Party promised to support an inquiry into unconventional gas before the state election in March.
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SA Liberals defend vote to block 'fracking' inquiry despite election pledge