Knitting Nannas Against Gas sitting tight outside Lismore MP's office

The Knitting Nannas Against Gas are calling on Lismore MP Thomas George to better represent his community on the issue of unconventional gas, or leave office.

By Margaret Burin


Louise Somerville, one of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas, say the group will continue to protest outside the office of Lismore MP Thomas George until he speaks out against unconventional gas exploration in the region. (ABC Local:Margaret Burin )

Every Thursday afternoon for the past 18 months, the Knitting Nannas have unpacked their chairs and yellow balls of yarn and sat outside Thomas George's Carrington Street office.

 

Knitting Nanna Louise Somerville says the state member for Lismore is not representing his community on the most important issue in his electorate.

"We're ashamed of him. He's let us down. We pay him," she said.

"He's got to start representing us."

Last week the NSW Office of Coal Seam Gas suspended petroleum company Metgasco's licence to drill for gas at Bentley.

In a separate announcement, Resources Minister Anthony Roberts referred the project to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Despite the suspension, the Knitting Nannas have vowed to maintain their vigil outside Mr George's office each week until the Nationals MP speaks out publically against unconventional gas exploration in the Northern Rivers.

Ms Somerville says in a meeting with Thomas George, she took in photos of her own children to voice her concerns about the gas industry.

"I put them in front of him and said 'this is my future'...you need to seriously look at these pictures and think about these kids and their future.

"He's more than once said 'what can I do?', but it's just not good enough."

Thomas George has declined ABC North Coast's request for an interview

Reference: http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2014/05/23/4010881.htm?site=northcoast