Laws need to change to protect Liverpool Plains contribution to Australia’s food security

A major overhaul of Australian mining legislation may be needed. That was the preliminary conclusion of NSW Nationals Senator Fiona Nash after participating in Brisbane and Sydney hearings for the Senate Select Committee on Agricultural and Related Industries’ Inquiry into food production in Australia. “Certain aspects of a new Water Amendment Law passed late last year have caused frictions between mining and farming interests, particularly in the farming rich Liverpool and Breeza Plains region in north western New South Wales,” Senator Nash said. “The Nationals reacted promptly with our Senate team and local Nationals MP Mark Coulton travelling to Caroona on 9 January to meet local stakeholders.” “What we saw there is prime agricultural land which supports Australia even in times of drought. Farming activities in the region must be protected if we are serious about Australia’s food security. “Now we are participating in this Senate inquiry and what we have heard from on-the-ground experts like Ag Force and the Caroona Coal Action Group is that major legislative changes may be needed to resolve conflicts.” Senator Nash pledged to report back to the Nationals’ federal parliamentary party, with a view to finding a way forward.

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