January 5, 2016
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington has called for the public consultation period on proposed changes to the tick line to be extended for a month to the end of February.
Ms Frecklington, who is the Shadow Minister for Agriculture, said the tick line was a key biosecurity management tool for livestock industries and the State Government’s January 31 deadline for public comment was “totally unrealistic”.
“Any operational changes need to be fully discussed and understood and stakeholders need more time to have their say,” Ms Frecklington said.
Ms Frecklington, whose electorate is dissected by more 150km of the tick line, said hundreds of smaller landholders in her region stood to be affected.
“I’m particularly concerned the consultation period is being held over the Christmas/New Year holidays when not everyone is around or fully focussed on industry issues,” she said.
“The new Minister needs to understand that not everyone in the bush has access to high-speed broadband internet and therefore submissions should be allowed to be mailed in, not just emailed to the Department.”
Mrs Frecklington said there were also issues with the government website.
“It’s not good enough that the line overlays showing the three options for the proposed tick line can’t be downloaded yet the Palaszczuk Labor Government expect people to provide informed submissions.”
Ms Frecklington said she was especially concerned for landholders whose properties may be affected by any boundary changes.
“There’s lots questions surrounding moves to self-assessment, and this is not just an issue for Queensland,” she said.
“When 600hp-plus trucks can cross two States overnight, we need to get this right.”
Related articles:
