His commitment to farming areas in the electorate comes as the NSW Resources and Energy Minister Anthony Roberts visits Albury today.

“Since nominating in December I have been contacted by many people, particularly farmers, who are deeply concerned about this issue,” Cr Jackson said.

“The electorate of Albury contains some of the best farmland in the state and I believe areas like Holbrook, Culcairn, Corowa and Oaklands must be protected.

“If I am elected I will fight the introduction of fracking in our region.

“I don’t believe it has been proven safe, and above all we must protect our precious ground- water.”

Cr Jackson said NSW Labor’s policy was clear on this issue and it would impose a moratorium on coal seam gas and not lift it unless all aquifers were mapped and the industry was scientifically proven to be safe.

“Personally I don’t believe it will ever be shown to be safe and I regard our water supply as something we cannot risk,” he said.

Cr Jackson said any shortage of natural gas could easily be dealt with.

“Australia is one of the few nations that does not reserve natural gas for domestic use,” he said.

“This means that we will shortly be paying international market rates for our own domestic gas.

“I support the reserving of a suitable portion of our natural gas for domestic consumption, particularly with the increases in electricity prices families have been forced to pay under this Liberal government who have been fattening the electricity pig for sale to private operators.

“It’s quite clear, coal seam gas fracking is neither wanted or needed in electorate of Albury.”

Mr Roberts will speak to media about electricity prices and deregulation of the market in NSW on his visit to Albury today.