The Nationals and the Caroona Coal Action Group have vowed to work together to preserve the rich farming land on the Liverpool and Breeza Plains.

Nationals Senate Leader Barnaby Joyce accompanied by Senators John Williams and Fiona Nash and Member for Parkes Mark Coulton have spent a day inspecting some of the best farmland in Australia, and then attended a public meeting at the Caroona Hall.

They accepted the invitation to visit the area following the controversy surrounding the Water Amendment Bill.

“We acknowledge the problems associated with this Bill but the reality is that with the Liberal Party and the Labor Party voting as one, the five National Party Senators did not have the numbers to affect the outcome. The number of 64 Labor and Liberal Senators will win every day of the week. It is all about convincing our Coalition colleagues and others to change their view. It is now important to lobby for us to change the dynamics of those numbers”, Senator Joyce said.

“This is cropping country that props up Australia even in times of drought, and has topsoil and water retention characteristics found in few places in the world.”

"Our discussions with the Caroona Coal Action Group were positive with an exchange of ideas, and we appreciated the commitment of the local community who left us in no doubt of their concerns at the public meeting."

"The Nationals and the Caroona community will work towards a new relationship and a long term positive outcome as a result of Friday's visit. Whilst we are under no illusion it will be easy to get the outcomes we want, no stone will be left unturned in trying to get the numbers to achieve them", Senator Joyce concluded.

Ends