EXCLUSIVE: THE Victorian Nationals will advocate for farmers to have the right to veto coal-seam gas development on their land.

The new policy comes less than three weeks before the Gippsland South by-election, where CSG will be a hot issue.

Nationals Leader Peter Walsh will today confirm the party supports landowners “having the right to say no to CSG extraction activity on their property”.

In the lead-up to last year’s state election, the Coalition would not commit to extending the moratorium on unconventional gas exploration and fracking while its community consultation and water studies were still being conducted.

The new Victorian Labor Government extended the moratorium from mid this year until mid next year after being elected.

Mr Walsh said The Nationals supported the extension of the moratorium.

“The Nationals have heard the concerns of our communities and will demand stronger safeguards for landholders regarding onshore coal seam gas operations should the industry ever develop in Victoria,” Mr Walsh said. “The Nationals support landowners having the right to say no to coal-seam gas extraction activity on their property.

“We also believe the regions where mining takes place should share the benefits from the activity.

“The Nationals support the introduction of a landowner and community benefit structure, so that when mining activity takes place the local community and landowners get a share of the wealth to invest in local priorities.”

Mr Walsh said there “should be no coal-seam gas mining or extraction in Victoria until thorough scientific assessment and community consultation had been completed”.

Farmers do not own the mineral rights to their property, which are instead vested with state governments. The formal Coalition policy on CSG will be released closer to the next state election and it is understood the Nationals will push for the veto provision to be included.

Nationals Gippsland South by-election candidate Danny O’Brien faces a tough contest against former Wellington Shire Mayor and Liberal candidate Scott Rossetti.

A spokeswoman for Mr Walsh said some groups had “attempted to misrepresent the Nationals on CSG and we have taken this opportunity to make our position clear”.