ABC News 4 February 2014:
The Greens say the prospect of a Federal Government taskforce to sort out community problems with the coal seam gas industry is an outrage.
The office of Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane has confirmed the group is being put together.
A spokeswoman says the idea was floated at last year's New South Wales Energy Conference, when the minister listed CSG as a top priority.
But Greens' senator Larissa Waters says it shows contempt for the wishes of local communities.
"Here we have the Abbott Government acting as a complete mouthpiece for industry, trying to override what has been a very clear expression from the community that they don't want coal seam gas," she said.
Mr Macfarlane's office says the exact makeup of the taskforce is still being worked out.
This media report goes some way to explaining why the Federal Nationals Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, has fallen silent on the subject of coal seam gas exploration and mining in his electorate and, why he is rumoured to be avoiding questions from journalists.
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