The Coalition have made this announcement in the context of two forthcoming by-elections in Western Victoria, and they are clearly worried that people will not vote for them if they continue to support this unwanted and dangerously toxic industry – but a paltry five-year extension is not enough.

This isn’t the permanent ban we need.

It would be great to see the Andrews Labor government up the ante and legislate for the permanent ban on this toxic industry which the Victorian Greens have long advocated for.

Unconventional gas threatens our environment, water, farmland, health, jobs in existing industries such as tourism and jobs of the future in clean, safe renewables.

Unconventional gas has contaminated water and land overseas and in NSW and Queensland – it is simply dangerous.

The Victorian Auditor General says that unconventional gas is unsafe and Victoria does not need such a toxic industry. 

In late 2013, after meeting with coal seam gas (CSG) companies in Queensland, Northern Victoria MP Damian Drum, current leader of the Nationals in the Legislative Council, and Shadow Minister for Regional Development, began advocating for CSG exploration in Victoria.

In the same month, Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber introduced a motion to the Upper House which called for a permanent ban on CSG in Victoria.

The motion was shot down by members of the Liberal and National parties, even those purporting to represent farming communities.

Mr Drum mounted an astonishing pro-CSG argument, claiming that to oppose the industry in regional Victoria was to oppose safe development and economic prosperity for regional communities.

Over 60 Victorian rural communities have now declared themselves “gasfield free”.

What say you, in 2015, Mr Drum?

It would be much to your credit if you have changed your mind, and will now cease advocating for this unwanted, destructive industry.

I feel the publicity concerning the protests around the  building of  a mosque in Bendigo has not harmed the image of our fair city, but strengthened it.   

I have no concern or comment in support for or against the mosque or its supporters, but there are many individuals and groups, including our council, that have contributed to this media frenzy. 

Democracy is a fragile concept in many parts of the world and has to be protected at all costs, at home or abroad with courage and respect.

I have concerns as to why the public gallery was not cleared by the police at the request of the mayor, and the council continuing its business in camera? 

But, we had the sight of our elected representatives being led from the council chamber. Which only increased the chaos and gave support to the protesters.

This effectively gave the high-ground to the 100 or so people protesting and disrupted the elected representatives of our city from carrying out its legal business on behalf of the 100,000 citizens and ratepayers of Bendigo.

Send a letter to the editor to addynews@fairfaxmedia.com.au, or PO Box 61, Bendigo, 3552.