Joyce opposes mine as minister, not MP

Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce says his vehement opposition to a new coal mine in his electorate stems from his position as a minister, not as the local member.

Mr Joyce told ABC radio on Friday he's "agnostic" on whether the planned $1 billion Shenhua-operated Watermark coal mine in Gunnedah, NSW - approved this week by the federal government - is in his electorate or not.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Thursday excused his criticism of the decision, saying Mr Joyce was speaking a local member.

Mr Joyce is concerned the new mine, near prime agricultural land, could destroy a nearby aquifer and says he'll contact NSW Premier Mike Baird to plead for him to stop the project.