Media Release 8 May 2014 BENTLEY BLOCKADE NEEDS A POLITICAL SOLUTION NOT POLICING Senior NSW police have now confirmed that a substantial police operation involving over 700 police will take place at Bentley near Lismore in coming weeks. The move comes as the NSW Government is reeling from allegations of corruption at Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) that have engulfed both the former Energy and Resources Minister, Mr Hartcher, as well as the former Police Minister, Mike Gallacher, and there is concern in the Lismore community about the political connections of Metgasco, the gas company involved at Bentley. “Metgasco employs the son of the Lismore National Party MP in a senior role and also previously employed Mr Richard Sheilds, a former NSW Liberal party deputy director as External Relations Officer”, said Mr Aidan Ricketts, Gasfield Free Northern Rivers representative. “Both Hartcher and Gallacher are historically implicated in the current crisis at Bentley and for the Government to be authorising a major force to move against a peaceful regional community protest at a time like this is shameful” Mr Ricketts said. “Reliable reports are indicating a force of over 700 police is planning to move against the very large Bentley blockade in the week beginning May 19th,” said Mr Ricketts, “The protest at Bentley, that began almost four months ago has grown exponentially. The Bentley blockade has brought together community members from all walks of life – landholders, professionals, doctors, academics, writers, teachers, artists, Mayors, grandparents and members of the clergy all unified by the same coherent message, to preserve their land, environment and communities. At any one time the number of people at the protest can range between 200 and 3000.” “This is a protest of historic proportions that involves the whole region. 87% of the Lismore local government area (that includes parts of Bentley) voted NO to gasfields in a local referendum conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission in September 2012.” “A proper democratic process would see a responsible government seeking a political solution in these circumstances, but the current government would rather use force against its own people.” Mr Ricketts added. A group of farmers from Bentley are currently in Sydney seeking a meeting with the premier. “The new Premier and the new Police Minister need to provide evidence of a change of culture in NSW by halting the police operation and sitting down to talk with the people of the Northern Rivers,” Mr Ricketts concluded. For more information contact: Aidan Ricketts 04172645263 Ian Galliard (in Sydney with the farmers) 0431 108784
Posted on: Fri, 09 May 2014 22:30:51 +0000
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