SYDNEY, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Victoria has become the first Australian state to permanently ban fracking, a move which has been supported by the state's farmers.
Legislation to ban fracking, a controversial mining process whereby liquid is injected into subterranean rocks at high pressure to force open existing fissures so as to extract oil or gas, was passed by the Victorian Government without a hitch late on Tuesday evening.
The law will also ban coal seam gas extraction while extending a moratorium on conventional onshore gas exploration to 2020.
The government, led by Premier Daniel Andrews, said the extended moratorium period would be used to further research the impact of conventional gas exploration.
David Jochinke, President of the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), said the ban would ensure a strong future for agriculture in Victoria.
"The ban on fracking means that the integrity of aquifers underneath farmland is protected," Jochinke told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Wednesday.
"The aquifers are vital to agriculture not only for irrigation's sake but for the stock water that's used above ground."
"Fracking undermines some of the integrity within those water sources and we're trying to protect it."
Jochinke said that banning fracking would make more land available for farming.
Oil and gas companies in Australia have warned that prices would skyrocket if other states followed Victoria and banned gas exploration and extraction.
