From the frying pan into the fire as they say. The alternatives are staring you in the face but some can see that far into the future that says that is not a good idea because the sun is not going to shine anymore ,or the wind is not going to blow any more. Where is the science or common sense in that,.

15yrs ago Labor was elected in SA with the pledge to deliver cheaper more reliable electricity. After pursuing the left whinge wet dream of 50% renewable power, forcing low cost base load power stations to close SA now has the highest and least reliable power in Australia.

Industries and small businesses are closing down, and Labor is presiding over an economic disaster.

The US fracking revolution has been a game changer in the international energy market and has made the US the arbiter of international energy prices.

Fracking in Australia would be one solution (not the only but a primary one) to Australia's energy issues. So even though SA's new policies are designed to salvage the necks of feckless politicians who have made such a hash of our energy market, paying royalties to farmers who allow fracking is an undeniable net good.

As with the US, let the usual suspects whinny on about renewables while the adults get on with the realworld solutions.

Fracking is an example of how technology and innovation resolve perceived problems and any policy that advances it, irrespective of the reasons for the policy, are welcome. Oh and there are no subsidies.

How about all those abundant coal supplies?

Coal is a proven technology and is being used in vast amounts by other countries, why are we lagging behind as usual?

Doog said; The alternatives are staring you in the face but

Go on Doog let us all in on the secret !

The problem with shale wells is the slow delivery of oil & gas.
It is due to the small cracks which are partly filled with sand from
the fracking.
Also the lifetime of a well is mush shorter than conventional wells.
In the order of a three to five years instead of tens of years.
Only in the US has it resulted in substantial amounts of gas & oil.
There are areas in Australia, one being near Coober Peady.
No one has jumped in to exploit it. I don't know why, it seems like
a good place to start, especially for a state in need of gas.
I think there is a pipeline not far away.