STOP Coal Seam Gas (CSG) Illawarra members will join others in a rally today outside the NSW Parliament House.

The rally – called by the NSW Farmers Association – is supported by the Country Women’s Association, Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders, GetUp, the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association, the Nature Conservation Council, and Lock the Gate.

The rally follows comments from the NSW Resources and Energy Minister, Chris Hartcher, who yesterday wrote to regional and rural newspapers seeking to discredit groups involved in the protest.

Stop CSG Illawarra spokesperson Jess Moore said the Minister tried to drive a wedge between farmers and her group.

“The NSW Government is in a completely indefensible position when it comes to CSG, so Hartcher is trying to divide broad opposition rather than talk about the issue,” Ms Moore said.

“The fact is – like the community itself – the Stop CSG Illawarra campaign has members involved in other groups and activities. And we’re all working together because we want to see land and water protected.

Ms Moore said no part of NSW – not the land where food is grown, not water catchments – is off limits to CSG.

“If the Premier (Barry O’Farrell) doesn’t distance himself from Hartcher’s slurs, the people of NSW will know what he does not stand for: participation by an engaged electorate.”