Mr Souris said 26 licences had been approved in that time.

If elected, the Coalition will review licences granted in recent years for process correctness, Mr Souris said.

The National-Liberal Coalition announced its land use policy last month, committing to a tougher process and precautionary approach.

The policy would include a requirement on all new mining and petroleum applicants to undertake explicit agricultural productivity impact assessments as part of their environmental impact statements.

There would also be the introduction of regulations regarding water aquifers.

Labor’s 10-point plan to deal with coal mining and coal seam gas exploration was released on March 15.

Country Labor candidate Michael Gibbons said the plan had struck the right balance betweens jobs and the environment.

“The most important issue facing the people of the Upper Hunter currently is getting the balance right between mining, agriculture and our natural environment,” Mr Gibbons said.

“The mining industry has created great wealth for the nation and the unemployment rate in the Upper Hunter of 2.2 per cent is one of the lowest in the nation.

“Mining companies do make financial contributions to the community, but there is scope for greater contributions.”

Mr Gibbons said mining wealth should be put towards roads and hospitals.

He said Labor’s plan would secure the 90,000 existing jobs in the state’s coal and power industries.