The Guardian: Northern Territory Fracking Report to be Released as Environmental Fears grow

The Northern Territory government will look to releasing the results of an inquiry into fracking, the chief minister, Adam Giles, has said amid public concern about the impact of a growing resources industry.

The inquiry, conducted by a retired diplomat and public servant, Allan Hawke, received more than 130 submissions in its examination of the environmental risks of hydraulic fracturing, a controversial process used to extract gas from below ground.

The chief minister received the final report a week ago, he told Guardian Australia. “I’m still going through the report which is hundreds of pages long,” he said. “The government will look to release the report once it’s been considered by cabinet.”

The Hawke inquiry began in April and was extended in June due to significant public interest, and it was expected to be tabled by the end of this year. Parliament has now ended for the year. MORE