BY ISABEL EVERETT
State Labor says it doesn't support a ban on new coal mines in the Upper Hunter, despite a recent poll showing most voters in the area are supportive of the idea.
An Australia Institute poll of 668 people in the electorate found 57.4 per cent support a moratorium on new coal mine approvals and a remediation plan for existing mines in the Hunter Valley, against 35.1 percent opposing the measures.
Research from the institute also recently found proposals for new coal projects in the Upper Hunter have a combined output of 98 million tonnes of coal per year, equivalent to ten new Adani-sized mines.
Opposition Leader Jodi McKay said the party doesn't support the ban, while announcing the party's candidate for the up-coming Upper Hunter by-election on Tuesday, former coal miner Jeff Drayton.
"We do not support a moratorium on coal mines, let's get that out of the way," she said.
Mr Drayton dismissed the poll.
"I must be talking to a different 600 people," he said.
The call for a moratorium was made by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, which resulted in him being dumped as the NSW government's new climate economy chief.
Ms McKay said despite not supporting the idea, the party remained committed to tackling climate change and environmental issues.
"We need to be pursuing renewable energy, we all know that, but we also need to make sure that we're protecting jobs in the coal industry."
"What frustrates me... is that if you're in this corner, supposedly you can't accept that corner," she said.
