Supporters back Windsor, whoever he picks

IRRIGATION farmer John Hamparsum says most of his neighbours don't care who Tony Windsor sides with, provided he protects them from miners.

IRRIGATION farmer John Hamparsum says most of his neighbours don't care who Tony Windsor sides with, provided he protects them from miners.

Mr Hamparsum, whose main crops are cotton and wheat, says water shortages, and the prospect of a sinking water table and water contamination stemming from mining, are the key issues for local voters in the touchstone seat on New England.

"Barnaby Joyce has been saying locals would be outraged if Tony went towards Labor which is just garbage," Mr Hamparsum said.

"If he solved the water problems we have up here those people would kiss Tony's toes.

"They wouldn't care where the help came from."

Mr Hampersum's comments come as the Queensland government yesterday announced plans to examine land covering 4 per cent of the state to determine whether it should be earmarked "strategic cropping land" and out of bounds to miners.

That land -- from the Darling Downs food-bowl in the state's southeast to grazing country in Far North Queensland -- would be assessed for inclusion in the mining-free zones based on soil quality, topography and seasonal rainfall.

In the fertile farming land of the Liverpool Plains in New England -- where locals joke the state government sees the acronym NSW as standing for "Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong" -- simply being heard is a major concern, Mr Hamparsum says.

"People in the cities have no idea what happens out here, they don't listen to us, we call it the sandstone curtain," he said, referring to the Great Dividing Range.

"I have thought long and hard about it but while I don't usually vote for the ALP because they usually don't give a stuff about us, if Tony was to support Gillard I would support Tony's decision.

"I trust Tony enough to do the right thing by the electorate and the nation."

Mr Hamparsum said he believed Mr Windsor's position of power was seen as a positive by most voters.

"One good thing about Tony Windsor being in the box seat is he can help with our calls for a water study on what effects the coal mining and coal seam gas extraction will have on the Murray Darling catchment basin," he said.

"The key question is, does our generation have the right to say that for the next 20 years or so, until alternative energy takes over from coal, do we have the right to ruin the area which would otherwise be used for thousands of years just to reap royalties?"

He said the fracturing processes involved in coal mining and coal seam gas extraction would disturb natural ground water flow.

Mr Hamparsum said many farmers resent mining exploration on their land because they fear being forced out if resources are found.

Tamworth butcher Gavin Michie said he had voted for Mr Windsor and hoped the MP would side with the Liberals, but would be happy with Mr Windsor's decision either way. "He (Mr Windsor) will go with whoever is best for the electorate and who is going to provide the most benefit for us," Mr Michie said.