Farming lobby group AgForce has described the ALP’s proposed new vegetation laws as a “dodgy deal” that Queensland farmers won’t accept.
AgForce General President Grant Maudsley said Labor’s “flawed land management laws” had already been rejected by the State Parliament and would mean fewer regional job and development opportunities in areas crying out for more jobs.
“Farmers have only ever asked for balanced and sensible vegetation management laws so we can provide food for family dinner tables across Australia and throughout the world,” Mr Maudsley said.
“Farming families care about their land and know how to manage it responsibly. Farming is a difficult enough job as it is, we don’t need politicians adding to the difficulties we face.
“Today’s announcement shows Labor is more interested in green politics than good policy. AgForce will continue to oppose such poor and one-sided policy.”
Mr Maudsley said Labor’s policy would cause enormous damage in regional and rural communities, leading to fewer local job opportunities and accelerating population drift to the cities.
“Locking up farmers’ land will mean a significant loss of income and that means less money circulating throughout towns in the bush,” he said.
“These harsh and unnecessary laws would have an immediate impact on regional and rural communities, while any proposed alternative revenue streams from a carbon fund may take years to eventuate and would likely only partly offset producers’ losses.
“If you are a primary producer in north Queensland, where there is so much potential for sustainable agricultural development, you want to be able to grow your business and develop your land, not lock it up for carbon.”
