From the Australian:
Billionaire Gina Rinehart turned up at Barnaby Joyce’s post-election party in Tamworth. Picture: Peter Lorimer Source: The Australian
OUTSPOKEN Nationals frontbencher Barnaby Joyce has vowed to protect prime farm land from mining and coal-seam gas, and ensure that an inland railway line connecting Brisbane and Melbourne is built by 2026.
…
Mr Joyce said he would maintain his steadfast support for protecting prime farmland from mining and CSG, despite having a close friendship with influential mining magnates. Billionaire Gina Rinehart attended Mr Joyce’s election night party. He said prime farmland and aquifers should be “off limits” to mining and CSG, while “people’s quiet enjoyment of houses should be protected”.
In the battle between good agricultural land and mining, farmland should “win every time”. He said he had been “more vociferous than others” in parliament about these issues, and he pledged to remain so in government.
Mr Joyce supported the need for effective and transparent regulation and monitoring of the resources sector.
In regard to CSG production, he said farmers should earn a percentage of the value of production of gas on their land.
Barnaby Is Right 
Personally I’d prefer to protect Australian (freehold) farmland from ownership by foreign governments. This is the real challenge as governments on both sides of politics sell off our farmland without the slightest thought about the implications.
I was horrified to hear recently that 10% has already been sold. How many voters actually know about this? And why could I not get one journalist in the so called free Press to publicise this before the election?
Whilst CSG drilling is a genuine concern the loss of the very asset which Australians need to feed themselves in the future is not given any attention. With the most productive farmland already in the hands of foreign governments and with the likelihood of Australia attaining a population of 100 million not too far down the track how does this dumb nation think that we are to feed ourselves? Give me strength……..am I the only lone voice in the wilderness???
Completely agree with you on this Mick. Have put up a number of blogs over the years on this particular issue (sell off of ag sector / farmland to foreign interests).