Meet the Upper Hunter by-election candidates

Jeff Drayton: Labor

Q1. "Upper Hunter farmers don't have the support they need to navigate the multitude of challenges they face. That's why I will replace the Nationals' part-time Agriculture Commissioner, who is a departmental staff member with no power, with a full-time, independent commissioner who is freely able to advocate for farmers and pursue their concerns."

Q2. "We need robust, independent approval processes for mining projects so that local issues around land use and social and economic benefit are fully considered."

Q3. "Upper Hunter voters are sick of being taken for granted and not getting their fair share. Everywhere I travel in this electorate, people tell me they want a fair return for the incredible contribution they make to our state."

Kate Fraser: Independent

Q1. "Planning for tomorrow- confidence in what the government says today will still be followed tomorrow. One of the biggest factors is the weather and this is one we do not have control over, so we need to ensure there are practises in place for when there are droughts and floods. That can be in the way we store water for future use."

Q2. "I do not have a blanket position on mines, I will form positions on mine proposals on an individual basis and after listening to the local community. Proponents need to be willing to negotiate and in some cases concede their opinions and demands may have to change."

Q3. "Surprisingly roads, conditions, repair and renewal have emerged as a major issue and this is why I am running in this election. Roads are always a priority and that is right across the electorate. It may be pot holes, state roads or by-passers all relevant and critical to the community that access them."

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Sue Gilroy: Shooters, Fishers and Farmers

Q1. "Like most regional industries, the biggest challenge is inner city politicians passing law and judgement on things they don't understand. For instance farm trespass laws, right to farm, oppressive native veg laws, foreign interests purchasing and owning our land."

Q2. "This district is a testament of how a balance has and can be found between farming and mining. Both are as important as each other to the prosperity of the region."

Q3. "Ultimately the major topic is the longevity of the region. With a range of different industries within the region from mining to agriculture, it is crucial that we continue to prosper in a well balanced way and that no one industry is left behind."

Kirsty O'Connell: Independent

Q1. "The threat to water quality and quantity is the most pressing concern for farmers across the Upper Hunter electorate. We have threats to our precious groundwater resources from mining and gas on the Liverpool Plains, Gloucester and Bylong, where agriculture is the backbone of local economies."

Q2. "Hunter coal producers are already choosing to produce 100 million tonnes less coal than they are permitted to, because they don't have a market for more. At the same time the world is clearly moving away from fossil fuels. Our region's farmers and agricultural businesses can be part of the solution for the future - continuing to provide essential jobs for generations to come, but we need to act now to protect our land and water and to invest in the growth of these key industries. If elected, I would pause all new mining, gas and exploration while we make a sensible plan for the future. This would provide certainty for farmers and also help ensure that existing mines remain viable."

Q3. "We're facing a huge global shift away from fossil fuels. At the same time, both major parties have made it clear they don't want to have difficult conversations about our future, preferring instead to focus on relatively small infrastructure promises like long overdue bypasses and police stations. The key question is whether voters want to be ready for the changes that are upon us."

Dale McNamara: One Nation

Q1. "Deputy Premier Barilaro has said a net zero carbon 2050 policy will destroy farming in our state, yet it's the policy of his government, and supported by Labor and the Greens. We oppose this policy and want farmers to have the freedom to clear their land for pastures and cropping without government interference. We see it as a basic property right for agriculture."

Q2. "I see the Upper Hunter as a single economy: interwoven industries, many relying on each other for viability and future success. The greatest conflict between the NSW energy sector and prime agricultural land is the extraordinary number of windmills and transmission lines being built in the Upper Hunter as part of Matt Kean's 100 per cent renewables plan, with the wires bringing in solar and wind power from the western part of the state. One Nation's policy for building the Bayswater 2 coal-fired power station avoids the need for these intrusive Renewable Energy Zones."

Q3. "Jobs are vitally important in all industries. As someone who worked as a coal miner for over a decade and is also now a farm owner, I believe I can work effectively to create jobs in all the Upper Hunter industries of importance to the future of our district."

Sue Abbott: The Greens

Q1. "The biggest challenge facing agriculture in the electorate is water. It is a big issue because we've had significant droughts recently and I think we need to look at regenerative farming practices, planting more trees and really considering improving soil health."

Q2. "The Greens are hoping to transition very quickly away from the fossil fuel industry by doing things like renewables and emergency elimination of emissions. We know we need to move away in a very fast manner and it's imperative we start to do that."

Q3. "I think the hot-button topic in this by-election is coal mining. However, I think it is overstated because there are more nurses than there are coal miners in the electorate. For me, the issue is health and we are in a tough position because the Coalition government has not funded public health properly for a very long time."

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Dave Layzell: Nationals

Q1. "The drought we've just been through highlighted the absolute importance of water infrastructure right across the state, and our region was no different. Our government has some runs on the board with building dams and pipelines, and we need to look for more ways to shore up water infrastructure."

Q2. "People in the Upper Hunter have worked in mining and agriculture for over 100 years, and we need to continue to make sure those jobs exist into the future. You'll always get those 'experts' who've never been here telling us what we should do, but what I'm focused on and what I will focus on if elected is making sure we support locals to earn a living, and take up any opportunities for new jobs as they come along in the future. You cannot simply sign the death warrant of mining and proclaim jobs in renewables will one day appear - like some parties do - you need to work constructively with all sectors and that's what I will do."

Q3. "Obviously everyone in the media is so focused on mining, but we need to remember we pull coal out of the ground here because it puts food on the table and it keeps the lights on. If there wasn't a quid to be made in mining coal we wouldn't be doing it, and the same goes for raising cattle, or training horses, or running a café or whatever it is you do. If we can keep people in work - earning money and spending it and raising their family and doing all those things Australians have always done - then we're heading in the right direction. I think the real issue in this by-election is what sort of future you want to have, and we have a plan for a safer, stronger future for the Upper Hunter."

Calum Blair: Sustainable Australia

Q1. "Mining overdevelopment and the uncertainty around the industry's expansion, which negatively impacts on new investment in agriculture. We need to protect prime agricultural land from mining expansion."

Q2. "Communities across the Hunter Valley are looking for a new style of politics that will protect our environment, stop overdevelopment and support sustainable jobs. Balance can be achieved through both an environmental job guarantee and better support for manufacturing. For starters, a combined state and federally funded environmental job guarantee should be introduced for all workers transitioning out of the coal industry. Projects would include rehabilitation of abandoned mines, humane reduction and eradication programs for high risk feral species and conservation land management projects to help relevant farmers and rural land owners manage biodiversity values on their properties."

Q3. "The hot button topic is the creation of sustainable jobs for the Hunter Valley. Rather than ever-expanding mining, this can be achieved through both an environmental job guarantee and better support for manufacturing. For starters, NSW can and should build our own trains, right here in the Hunter Valley. This would help to reinvigorate local manufacturing and economic innovation."

Tracy Norman: Independent

Q1. "The uncertainty that results from a lack of clear land use planning strategies from the government, such as the failure to extinguish the zombie PELS that impact much of the electorate."

Q2. "Working with the three levels of government to ensure robust land planning strategies, including substantial buffer zones."

Q3. "The future of coal mining, whereas it should also be about how we tackle issues such as health and mental health, better policies around drought resilience and better supporting our farmers, including the provision of sustainable water supplies and the provision of good, safe transport infrastructure."

Steve Reynolds: Independent

Q1. "There is not one singular item. There are broad range of very important issues including but not limited to, water security. Water supply has been an issue, and will continue to be an issue unless we address all facets."

Q2. "It's a very complex situation that needs a lot of attention that's been lacking, as it appears the governments over the years have not given the priority to make the hard decisions. This is one of my highest priorities in this Election. Whether its for fear of not being popular in certain streams of their party or the work is in the too hard basket due to the conflict arising from the discussions. A final resolution must be found giving clear legislation to all parties."

Q3. "Security. Be it land security. Health sector security. Water security. Job security etc. People want certainty and security that their jobs, health and properties are secure."

The Upper Hunter electorate stretches to Quirindi in the north, Singleton in the south, and Gloucester in the east.

Independents Archie Lea, Bruce Mackenzie and Alan de Audney and Eva Pears (Liberal Democrats) will also contest the by-election.

The Land made every effort to approach all candidates for comment but at the time of print, new candidates entered the race and could not be reached by deadline.

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