New Zealand Celsias

Labour has stated that if elected it will hold an enquiry into fracking.

National has said there is no need for such an enquiry.

"We need to know about the implications of fracking for New Zealand. Labour will initiate an inquiry into fracking as a matter of priority."

Labour Invercargill candidate Lesley Soper said the growing public awareness of the controversy around fracking made an inquiry an urgent matter for an incoming Government.

"[We] want to look at whether it makes economic sense in using such a method if it's going to have severe environmental and health effects," she said.

Fracking was back in  the internationla spotlight last week after an independent report commissioned by British drilling company Cuadrilla Resources showed its fracking had caused two 2.3 magnitude earthquakes in Lancashire in northern England.

There were also concerns fracking fluid containing carcinogenic BTEX chemicals [benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene] had contaminated drinking water in the United States, where fracking is driving a gas boom.

Labour would also strengthen the powers of the Environmental Protection Authority and the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment

Fracking might already have been used  in Taranaki, in Ohai, and is being looked at in Canterbury.

In September the Green Party called for a fracking inquiry.