'Screaming rant' from Jones: Qld treasurer

Broadcaster Alan Jones' calls for the resignation of Queensland's political leaders over mining are simply the "screaming rants" of a conservative, the state government says.

Jones told the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday food security would be the biggest issue facing Australia in the future and Premier Anna Bligh and her deputy, Andrew Fraser, should stand down for their addiction to mining royalties.

Coal seam gas mining was out of control in Queensland and would turn the state into a "moon crater" and industrial wasteland, said Jones, the one-time senior adviser to former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser.

"The mining industry is the upper house of Queensland - nothing happens without their approval," he said.

Jones said scientists were unsure about the safety of fracking techniques - the injection of chemicals, water and sand at high pressures to crack rock and release gas - used by mining companies to find coal seam gas.

The Queensland, NSW and federal governments' approval of coal seam gas mining was putting at risk public health, water quality and the nation's ability to feed itself.

Jones said "politicians have forgotten they are servants not masters", as he mocked the state government's vow to protect prime agricultural land with strategic cropping legislation.

"There has never been a coal mine in Queensland's history rejected on environmental grounds," he said, adding environmental impact statements were not worth the paper they were written on.

But Mr Fraser defended the government's environmental protections and said Jones lacked any credibility with his "proven track record for spin and dishonesty".

"These are the screaming rants of a histrionic, failed former Liberal candidate who is merely doing the bidding of the local LNP (Liberal National Party)," the acting premier told AAP.

"This is criticism from someone who has taken money to change their views and prosecute arguments in a poor excuse for journalism."

Jones claimed 80 per cent of Queensland was under mining exploration permits.

But Mr Fraser said only 23 per cent of the state was covered by exploration permits under mining legislation.

Jones also took aim at Queensland LNP leaders Campbell Newman and Jeff Seeney for lunching with gas company executives and employing former mining company staff.