Labor votes with Liberals, Nationals against Senate motion on CSG and political donations

Labor has voted with the Liberals and Nationals to block a Senate motion that detailed their failure to return all the political donations that they have received from the CSG company Santos and that calls for a ban on political donations from mining and coal seam gas companies.

“It is deeply disappointing that Labor has refused to back a ban on political donations from mining and coal seam gas companies,” said Greens Senator for NSW Lee Rhiannon.

“Labor’s failure to return all the money they have received from Santos seriously undermines their credibility on standing with residents opposed to CSG. They have been left looking insincere and opportunists. 

“Our motion called for an end to corrupting donations from these companies. It also called for a complete end to coal seam gas and coal mining on agricultural land and associated water resources.

“Labor can’t have it both ways. If it does not stand with local communities to protect their land, their health and the environment they need to be upfront about ties to the mining industry,” said Senator Rhiannon.