is this a problem for us?

http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/tony-abbott-backs-farmers-over-mining-access-widening-split-in-lnp-over-the-issue/story-e6freqmx-1226114156825


FEDERAL Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has left Queensland colleagues floundering by backing farmers' rights to lock the gate against coal seam gas and mining companies.

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His statements are likely to cause even more tension in the LNP, which is already struggling to deal with the issue.

But Condamine MP Ray Hopper backed Mr Abbott.

"Farmers should have the right to say no," he said.

"We're going to protect prime agricultural land."

Mr Hopper refused to say whether he was at odds with his party, which is struggling with the conflict of support for the CSG industry and its massive economic impact while trying to also back farmers and their struggle against the expansion of mining and gas, particularly in the Surat Basin.

The LNP discussion paper only goes as far as saying landholders should have "their property rights protected as the industry expands and our aim is to ensure all landholders end up better off from their coexistence with the CSG industry".



On Sydney radio, Mr Abbott said the criteria of the Foreign Investment Review Board should be reviewed and further restrictions made on foreign companies buying land.

The current rules mean that only foreign land acquisition above $231 million was reviewed and Mr Abbott said that may have to be lowered.

In Australia, the minerals and resources are owned by the Commonwealth and farmers are urged to negotiate land access with mining companies, but have only an appeal to the Land Court to prevent it.

"If you don't want something to happen on your land, you ought to have the right to say no," Mr Abbott said.

His comments gave the Government room to attack the LNP and claim Mr Abbott had put at risk billions of dollars of investment.

Mining Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the message from the LNP was confusing.
"He's just the same as Campbell Newman who says one thing to farmers west of the Great Divide and another to corporate chiefs in the boardrooms of Brisbane," he said.

The pressure over coal seam gas has also reached the Scenic Rim Regional Council, which has made an application to ban coal seam gas from the region.

A submission from the council is about to be sent to Queensland Premier Anna Bligh asking for an amendment to the Mineral Resources Act to prevent prospecting, mining and exploration in the region.

Scenic Rim Mayor John Brent said the region, including Beaudesert, Boonah, Canungra and Tamborine, needed protection for its focus in agriculture, tourism and rural lifestyle.


Note:
I currently hold LNC