TONY ABBOTT has said prime arable land should be protected from mining but has rejected supporting a Greens bill that would prevent miners having untrammelled access to farmland.
Mr Abbott said yesterday mining and farming were important but the coal seam gas issue was primarily one for the states.
''We support the mining industry but we don't want to see prime agricultural land destroyed,'' he said. ''We think the rights of farmers should always be respected.
''It's important that we come to a balanced approach which acknowledges the importance of the mining industry to Australia's economic future but which protects prime agricultural land and respects the rights of farmers.'' Read More
Sydney Morning Herald
Mr Abbott sought to qualify himself following an awkward few days sparked by his suggestion farmers should be able to veto what happened with their land.
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