Antinuclear

It is the first time Dame Marie has spoken out against mining after 13 years in the traditionally apolitical role of NSW governor. The beloved dame, who retired late last year, also said her fears about foreign ownership of Australian land bring out her “nasty side”.

The conflict between faming and mining, including coal seam gas, has become a defining election issue in regional NSW, and may heavily sway results in seats on the north coast and in western NSW.

Speaking at an International Women’s Day event in Sydney on Sunday, Dame Marie said Australia was in the incredible position of being able to “help to feed the world”.

“And of course, what is the counter to that? Digging up precious farm land for coal …

Dame Marie said the situation was “a clarion call” to women, adding “I couldn’t be more passionate about a cause than this one. We must do something to protect our food-producing land”……

NSW Labor wants a permanent ban on coal seam gas in the Northern Rivers region. Labor leader Luke Foley said last week the region’s farm industries “depend on the purity of the fertile land and the purity of clean water. Both of those are at risk from coal seam gas.”