Geopolitics of Fracking in Australia As Australia's energy demand increases alongside a growing population, fossil fuel consumption is also likely to increase despite concerns about change climate. This demand for energy, as well as government debt, saw the start of hydraulic fracturing in Queensland. Coal seam gas development will create thousands of jobs while providing a boost to the state's economy. Many Australian landowners allow fracking on their properties because they will receive income from the well (De Rijke 2013). The government's decision to start fracking was opposed by public opinion. Local governments are virtually powerless to stop fracking as this power rests with the Australian state and federal governments. However, local governments can still be held responsible for fracking by the general public and therefore fracking is believed to disempower local communities (De Rijke 2013). Global Geopolitics of Fracking The success of hydraulic fracturing will have enormous geopolitical implications around the world. Since the production of shal...