What is even more disheartening is that some of those sitting on the pro-development side of the fence and advocating for the gas giants have decided to adopt an attitude as childish as some of more colourful members of the anti-fracking camp.

At last Monday’s public forum on the perceived pros and cons of fracking, it was promising to hear representatives from a range of organisations explain why they believed a gas-fuelled resources boom would spell either success or disaster for the Katherine region.

Unfortunately, some of the aforementioned representatives did their respective causes no favours by responding to questions from the audience and fellow panel members with sarcasm and venom.

While the rude interjections by the usual anti-fracking suspects were to be expected, I was stunned when Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association director Steven Gerhardy answered a question by calling an opinion given by expert panellist Peter Jolly that of “a retired hydrologist”.

In espousing his snide comment, Mr Gerhardy proved that there are undeniable factions within the gas industry that are not above name calling and pulling the hair of the kids in the playground who ask questions they do not have a quantifiable answer to.

Those schoolyard bullies need to be sent to the naughty corner while the rest of us talk about the benefits, dangers and concerns of fracking like adults.