WOLLONGONG

■ Noreen Hay, Labor MP

A Foley Labor government will implement an immediate moratorium on coal seam gas across the state. We will suspend all coal seam gas exploration licences and stop any new extraction licences being issued.

Labor will ban CSG from around core drinking water catchments. This recognises that there are certain no-go zones where coal seam gas extraction should never be allowed.

In 2013 Labor introduced legislation to ban CSG from drinking water catchments in Sydney and the Illawarra. Labor is committed to exploring similar protections in catchments right across NSW.

■ Cameron Walters, Liberal

We will pause, reset and recommence gas exploration on our terms. All existing Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) applications yet to be determined will be removed, extinguishing prospective PELs from 43 per cent of NSW. Only the Mike Baird Liberal Team has a clear, transparent plan that can be trusted to provide the regulation and standards the people of Wollongong and NSW deserve.

■ Arthur Rorris, Independent

I believe that all politicians should unite on this question and permanently extinguish the threat to our water, our farming lands and our communities. We are beyond calls for moratoriums, let's call a spade a spade and say that this is not an activity that we want on this land and should legislate accordingly. If the Labor and Liberal parties consider it important enough to protect the community of the North Coast why not Wollongong and the South Coast? Is it because the major parties take us for granted?

If we are serious about protecting our communities from the effects of CSG, then we need representatives who are prepared to step up for Wollongong, not go missing in action. I am giving an undertaking to not only support moves in Parliament to stop CSG but to personally move the legislation to do it.

■ Mitchell Bresser, Greens

The Greens and I want an immediate end to coal seam gas, it's destructive to the environment, contaminates groundwater and ruins prime agricultural land for generations.

Labor handed out the CSG licences and the Liberals have continued to support the industry, both cannot be trusted when it comes to big business trying to destroy NSW's farmland.

CSG will drive up NSW gas prices. NSW is protected from higher international gas prices, but once the infrastructure to export CSG is built, gas companies will charge higher prices to domestic users.

The Illawarra has some of the world's best coking coal, I want to make sure that coking coal for domestic use is still mined from the Illawarra, but not at the expense of the environment and the community's health. I want Illawarra's coal to make the steel for wind turbines and solar power plants to power NSW's future.

■ Dr Clarrie Pratt, Christian Democrats

The Christian Democratic Party, Fred Nile and I are very concerned about the safety of CSG despite its economic benefits. Germany, France and New York State have all banned fracking. They have recognised the threat to the environment. In Britain and US, there has been evidence that mine drilling significantly reduces the quality of drinking water.

Recently, we have seen contaminated leaks from CSG projects in the Pilliga State Forest. Our party last week called for a five-year moratorium on CSG exploration in NSW. We have previously called for a parliamentary committee of inquiry. Today, Fred Nile has called for a referendum on CSG and fracking in NSW.

■ Phil Latz, Australian Cyclists Party

The Australian Cyclists Party is against CSG exploration on farmland and water catchment or sensitive areas. The benefits of CSG may be great for companies but the small monetary reward pales against the risks to communities. We have to have food and water security, we don't have to have CSG. Let the science, not business interests, guide our decisions. Personally, I am against any exploration and mining of coal seam gas in the Illawarra.

■ No Land Tax Party's Noreen Colonelli did not respond by the Mercury's deadline.

HEATHCOTE

■ Maryanne Stuart, Labor

I am firmly against coal seam gas extraction until it can be proven to be safe. Many members of the community have contacted me with their concerns about the safety of coal seam gas, especially in drinking water catchments. As a mother, I share these concerns.

A Foley Labor government will impose a state-wide moratorium on coal seam gas extraction. As well, we will suspend all existing exploration licences, and refuse any applications to expand existing operations. This is the responsible step to take until we can prove that the industry is safe.

Labor's CSG policy is a break from the past. But it is the right policy to protect our community and the environment.

■ Lee Evans, Liberal

The Labor Party issued more than 1000 Petroleum Exploration Licences like confetti across NSW during 16 years of mismanagement of the industry. When elected in 2011 in my inaugural speech, I stated: "The water source for the Illawarra and Sutherland Shire must be protected. I will represent the many concerns of my constituents and make their voices heard."

I have faithfully relayed the concerns of my constituents to the Premier and relevant ministers who responded with action by placing an immediate moratorium on the issuing of new PELs. The introduction of the NSW government's Gas Plan in 2014 resulted last week in the cancellation of three PELs over significant areas of the Sydney water catchment: PEL 442, PEL 444 and PEL 454 (through action 4 of the plan).

Finally, there is no CSG mining in Special Areas' water catchment in the Heathcote electorate - an achievement I am very proud of.

■ Natasha Watson, Greens

In 2010 I uncovered and exposed the plans by Apex and Origin Energy to mine for CSG in the Illawarra and build a gas-fired power station at Helensburgh. I then held the first screening of Gasland in the Illawarra and launched email objection campaigns - such was my concern and anger at the government for risking our drinking water catchment and health of the community.

The risks were, and still are, so little understood that it was crazy for licences and major project applications to be so easily granted. And yet, in 2006 and 2008, Labor and Liberal had voted to change planning legislation that allowed petroleum and CSG exploration in state conservation and drinking water catchment areas, and speed the approval process.

Only the Greens can be fully trusted to put the health of our residents and environment first before the profits and interests of CSG mining companies.

■ Greg Petty, independent

CSG is the single most important issue for Heathcote. In the 2011 state election, I ran an anti-CSG campaign and later was elected to Wollongong City Council. I've been successful in having council pass motions to protect the water supply of Woronora Dam and farmlands around Darkes Forest.

Standing again in 2015, I challenge the political parties to unequivocally state if elected as the Heathcote member, they would cross the floor and vote against any form of CSG exploration or production.

The announcement to cancel local licences is welcome, but much stronger action is needed to protect our agricultural farmland. Research has showed me the science is flawed and dangerous to the health of residents. Claims the state needs the gas are outrageous when the bulk of production was destined for export.

The government needs to finish the job and cancel licences of all companies in production phase.

■ No Land Tax Party's Ahmed Elawaad and CDP's Ula Falanga did not respond by the Mercury's deadline.

KEIRA

■ Ryan Park, Labor MP

A supply of safe, clean drinking water is critical for communities across the world to grow and develop. Our local water catchment helps supply high quality water to millions of families and businesses in the Illawarra and throughout Sydney.

Over the last four years I have campaigned strongly against CSG mining in our precious water catchment. In fact, I led the charge within the Labor Party to completely change our policy when it comes to CSG mining in these areas.

By listening to community concerns and reviewing scientific reports, I helped develop legislation that was introduced into the NSW Parliament, which if passed would have banned CSG in our water catchment for good.

I recognise Labor in government could have and should have done better in this area. What is disappointing is our water catchment area could be permanently off-limits to CSG mining if the NSW Liberal government voted to support our legislation.

■ Philip Clifford, Liberal

The Mike Baird Liberal team's Gas Plan is a clear, strategic framework to deliver world's best-practice standards and regulation for the CSG industry, while securing vital supplies for the state.

The Baird government has put in place more than 60 reforms following Labor's 16 years of mismanagement of the gas industry.

If elected, I will ensure that CSG mining and exploration is conducted in the safest and most responsible manner possible.

■ Elena Martinez, Greens

The Greens have consistently opposed coal seam gas exploration and mining. CSG has erroneously been touted as the clean energy alternative to coal.

This gas, methane, is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. About 50 per cent of CSG wells leak methane during operation.

When leakage is included in the calculations, CSG may prove to be more damaging to the climate than coal.

In 2009, the Labor state government issued exploration rights for 16 CSG wells around Darkes Forest and Maddens Plains.

Some of these sites were in our water catchment. CSG extraction, even without fracking, can contaminate our drinking water supply.

I have been part of a strong community group, Stop CSG, which has fought a long battle to stop CSG mining in the Illawarra.

There have been recent successes, with the Baird government cancelling some of the licences, but the war is not over.

■ Joseph Carolan, CDP

Water resources are of greater importance than the short-term economic benefits that come from exploitation of our mineral resources.

Longwall mining should not occur under catchment Special Areas. Sydney is the only city in the world allowing this practice under its own water supply.

Current longwall operations under dams of the upper Nepean have led to subsidence, surface cracking and destruction of upland swamps which feed our dams.

I am in full support of the Reverend Fred Nile's call for a five-year moratorium on all CSG operations in NSW as well as the CDP's call for a referendum on CSG.

CSG extraction should never take place in prime agricultural land nor in catchment Special Areas.

From an economic point of view, energy resources should be used wisely to lower domestic energy prices and encourage Australian manufacturing business and jobs.

■ No Land Tax Party's Jason Leto did not respond by the Mercury's deadline.

SHELLHARBOUR

■ Anna Watson, Labor MP

Labor will ban CSG exploration and mining in the Special Areas of Sydney's water catchment. We will also ban any form of unconventional gas drilling or wells, above or below ground, within two kilometres of urban or residential areas.

The Liberals have refused to support Labor's legislation to ban CSG exploration and mining in our water catchment areas.

A Labor government will impose a statewide moratorium on CSG activity. We will suspend all exploration licences, and issue no further exploration or extraction licences. We will also refuse any application to expand existing operations.

The statewide moratorium will stay in place unless the industry is proven to be safe.

Labor will implement every one of the Chief Scientist's final report recommendations released in September 2014.

The onus is on the CSG industry to prove to the community, on a purely scientific basis, that its operations are safe.

■ Mark Jones, Liberal

We have listened to the concerns of landholders, the community, industry and independent scientific experts in developing the NSW Gas Plan. Our plan ensures the gas industry in NSW will operate on our terms, not to the low standards set by the previous Labor government. As part of the Mike Baird Liberal Team, I will be a strong voice for the needs of the Illawarra region with respect to CSG exploration and mining.

■ Peter Moran, Greens

Coal seam gas exploration, and mining, has the potential to be one of the most environmentally and socially destructive industries we have ever seen. This is especially the case in the Illawarra where most CSG activities have occurred in, or have been licensed to occur in, Special Catchment Areas designed to protect our drinking water supplies.

The Greens are the only party that has consistently opposed CSG mining and exploration in our water catchments. When any industry has the potential to impact on one of the necessities of life the precautionary principle should apply. It should not be allowed unless it can be proven to be safe. Experience around the world shows this is not the case.

The strength of Stop CSG Illawarra, with its thousands of members and volunteers, shows this industry has no social licence to operate in the Illawarra. The Greens proudly stand beside them.

■ Wayne Quinn, Independent

There is absolutely no way in which I could even entertain the idea of allowing fracking (coal seam gas mining and exploration) to occur. Fracking is potentially quite dangerous to our environment and human health. The internet has many stories where fracking problems have occurred. There have been more than 1000 documented cases of water contamination next to areas of gas drilling as well as cases of sensory, respiratory, and neurological damage due to ingested contaminated water. We should be focusing on clean energy and ensuring sensitive lands and waterways are completely off-limits to oil and gas production. Other forms of mining are nowhere near as dangerous as fracking and if fracking is to continue, then this country will eventually be well and truly "fracked".

■ Romeo Cecchele, Independent

I'm strongly opposed to CSG mining in the Illawarra. This issue is a no-brainer as we have seen in films from the US that the destruction of land and waterways for hundreds of square metres around wells with toxic waste is now history.

Yet the Liberal Party last year granted three new permits in NSW to drill and frack for gas after Barry O'Farrell was taped four years ago saying, "There will be no more CSG permits issued if the Liberals get in".

Unlike most other candidates in the Shellharbour electorate, I have a proven track record for fighting against CSG in the Illawarra by attending the Bulli Showground and the Seacliff Bridge "No CSG!" rallies.

I also have bumper stickers on my car, letterbox, bins and garage.

The NSW Labor Party has a lot to answer for selling off most of our state in CSG leases nine years ago.

■ No Land Tax Party's Hugo Morvillo and CDP's John Kadwell

did not respond by the Mercury's deadline.

KIAMA

■ Gareth Ward, Liberal MP

How many new CSG licences were issued under Labor? 37.

How many new CSG licences has the NSW Liberals issued since being elected in 2011? 0.

The Baird government has introduced the toughest CSG licence conditions in Australia.

I supported the initial moratorium on CSG and have publicly made my opposition clear in relation to CSG in water catchment areas.

How disgraceful that the Greens are now preferencing Labor in the Kiama electorate - the same party that handed out coal seam gas licences like confetti across NSW without any regard whatsoever for our natural environment and our water catchments.

In stark contrast, the Baird government has implemented the strictest conditions in the country. It was the Baird government that introduced the checks and balances on CSG and measures to protect our water catchments. No other jurisdiction in the world has the strong protections available in NSW.

■ Glenn Kolomeitz, Labor

Labor will put a statewide moratorium on coal seam gas activities, including exploration and mining, until the industry is proven to be safe. The Chief Scientist has outlined numerous concerns with CSG mining, and we will not allow CSG mining or exploration, issue any new exploration or mining licences, or allow the expansion of existing licences, until the Chief Scientist is satisfied that all these concerns have been dealt with. During this time, all existing CSG mining licences will be suspended.

Labor will permanently ban CSG mining in core drinking water catchment areas across the state, and will legislate to ban unconventional gas in Special Areas of the Sydney Water Catchment, which includes the Illawarra.

These policies are a change from Labor's previous stance on CSG - the decision to change our policy was made after widely consulting communities across NSW and working closely with scientists and environmentalists.

■ Terry Barratt, Greens

The Greens oppose CSG exploration and production anywhere in NSW. CSG is not a "clean transition" fuel because of the potential for substantial fugitive methane emissions associated with extraction and distribution. CSG may prove to be more damaging to the climate than coal.

It pollutes ground and surface water; reduces groundwater supplies; and destroys agricultural and environmentally significant areas.

While the previous licence over the Shoalhaven and Kiama areas was cancelled for breaches of the conditions, there is nothing to stop a new licence being granted. There is no special protection over our precious agricultural land or the water catchments running into our rivers.

This government's record on CSG is not good. Its regulation of the industry has proven ineffective time and again. The Premier publicly supports developing CSG in NSW.

The Greens will ban CSG and start a phase-out of coal to take us into a renewable energy future.

■ Steve Ryan, CDP

The people of the Illawarra can rest assured that, if the Reverend Fred Nile is re-elected to the upper house, the Christian Democratic Party will protect our groundwater & catchment areas as well as our prime agricultural land. Fred Nile has called for an immediate five-year moratorium on coal seam gas and any mining process that involves fracking CSG in NSW.

"We are in a critical time, there is an urgent need to protect NSW and our future water and land from CSG. Our country stands on the brink of being irrevocably damaged by the impact of CSG, with 53 per cent of the landmass of Australia under current exploration licence for unconventional mining," the Reverend Nile said.

If I am elected, I will join my voice with Fred Nile to ensure that local environmental concerns will be heard. We will hold the government of the day accountable, bringing balance and common sense.

■ No Land Tax Party's Carmel Pellegrini did not respond by the Mercury's deadline.

WEDNESDAY'S QUESTION

What will your party do to improve Illawarra roads and public transport?