AAP reported that police have dropped charges against a woman who took part in an anti coal seam gas blockade in southeast Queensland.

Ms Linda Weston faced a charge of obstructing petroleum activity for her role in the 10 day demonstration at Kerry, near Beaudesert in January.

The protest coincided with Arrow Energy conducting exploratory drilling for coal seam gas at the site. At least 13 people were arrested during the blockade, but Ms Weston was only the second person in Queensland history to face such a charge.

In the Ipswich Magistrates Court on Friday, police recommended the charge against Ms Weston which carries a maximum USD 50,000 fine be dropped.

One of Ms Weston's supporters and fellow protester Innes Larkin of the Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic group said Friday's result was a relief. But Mr Larkin called for an investigation into Arrow's permits to conduct the drilling.

He said that we are not saying a permit does not exist, but given a valid document has not been produced, we're asking the mining minister to investigate to see if Arrow Energy was complying with the law. Entry permits are compulsory but they don't have to be registered, so as a community we cannot check ourselves.

Source - AAP

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