Artists from around the Territory have come together to support community calls for a fracking ban with an exhibition which showcased in Katherine last Thursday at The Finch.
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The exhibition titled ‘Lies, Damned Lies and Fracking’, pointed political satire to the fracking debate.
In particular, the art tackled issues such as the hype around the oil and gas boom, the environmental impact of fracking and the corrosive effect of major gas companies.
Speaking at the exhibition, Lauren Mellor from The Frack-Free NT Alliance, thinks there is a good chance of winning the debate.
“I think we’re in a position to shift this,” she said.
“We’re fighting for everyone and that’s what the campaign is about today.”
Ms Mellor requested everyone at the exhibition flood local government with phone calls and letters to push for a fracking ban.
“I think most of us standing here have put in a huge effort over the last couple of years, people have really been engaged in the region of Katherine trying to influence the (fracking) decision,” she said.
Ms Mellor said the exhibition’s art was important in bringing art and culture to the campaign and allowed people to express their frustration with the debate and “poke a little bit of fun at the political situation”.
“We’ve been trying to talk sense and sanity into a government that is looking at promises of huge profit on one hand and the very real need to protect what sustains the Northern Territory – and that is access to clean water and water that sustains all of our industries,” Ms Mellor said.
The final report of the Independent Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory was recently released on March 27.
The NT government is now carefully considering the reports recommendations and will either ban fracking or allow it to happen in highly regulated circumstances.
The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) said the report states any risks associated with onshore gas development and hydraulic fracturing can be managed by effective regulation.
“The final report confirms that developing the Territory’s natural gas resources would have significant economic and employment benefits for the NT,” APPEA spokesman Matthew Doman said.
“It has debunked many of the myths spread by activists opposed to onshore gas development.”
