FARMERS’ RIGHTS: Land owner Graham Brown said social and economic studies need to be conducted before any mining commences. Photo: Jude Keogh 0111cadia
A PUBLIC debate has broken out following Tony Abbott’s retreat from his recent statement that farmers should have the right to stop mining on their land.
The opposition leader remarked last Friday that farmers had “a right to say no”, a statement he has now backed away from.
Both sides of politics have become involved in the hot topic that leaves farmers with few rights in negotiating mining exploration deals on their land.
Country Greens member for the Legislative Council Jeremy Buckingham said it was a disappointing reversal of comments from Mr Abbott.
“The Greens were very pleased to hear Tony Abbott say that, but even more disappointed to hear him back away from that,” Mr Buckingham said.
“At the moment communities are being devastated by the continued roll-out of coal mines and the threat of coal-seam gas.
“They are being forced into negotiations with big miners ... once a licence [for exploration] is granted the company is compelled to explore and the land owner is compelled to negotiate.”
Read More.Central Western Daily
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