The Australian Greens have moved to protect South Australian farmers from shale gas fracking, as community concern grows over unconventional mining on farming land.

Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Senator Penny Wright today sponsored a Senate motion in favour of giving landholders legal rights to refuse shale and fracking on their properties.

"This is a dangerous industry that puts our precious water and farming land at risk," Senator Wright said.

Senator WRIGHT (South Australia) (10:07):  I too rise to speak on the Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera Prohibited Area) Bill 2013, and to highlight the fact that this bill is being rushed through the parliament without the necessary due diligence.

We give notice that on the next day of sitting we shall move that -

The Senate notes:

1.    The concern of communities in South Australia and Western Australia about their land and water being threatened by shale and other unconventional gas mining.

2.    That landholders lack the legal right to refuse shale and other unconventional gas mining on their land.

3.    The scientific uncertainty surrounding the environmental and health implications of hydraulic fracturing ('fracking') for shale and other unconventional gas mining.

Tony Abbott's government must not cave into pressure from the miners to defund legal rights groups, say the Australian Greens.

Australian Greens spokesperson for legal affairs Senator Penny Wright has written to Attorney General George Brandis urging him to resist calls from the mining lobby to defund the Environmental Defender's Office.

"The Environmental Defenders Office is the only thing standing between state governments and a rubber stamp for mining approvals," Senator Wright said.

Q. Do you think the coast of Kangaroo Island should be protected from planned oil and gas drilling?

The majority (72%) of South Australian voters believe the coast of Kangaroo Island should be protected from planned oil and gas drilling. 12 % were unsure, and 16% believed it should be allowed.

Taking out those who were unsure, 82% of South Australians wanted Kangaroo Island to be protected.

Australian Greens Senator for South Australia says today's decision to force a proposal for oil and gas exploration off the coast of Kangaroo Island through a Federal environmental assesment is a big win for community campaigning.

Senator Wright has worked extensively with the community on this campaign and says Environment Minister Tony Burke's decision today was one step closer to recognising Kangaroo Island is too precious to lose.