March 13, 2018
AgForce is calling for more time for rural landholders to have their say on proposed new Queensland vegetation management laws.
AgForce General President Grant Maudsley said the proposed laws had been referred to a Parliamentary committee for examination, and less than two weeks has been allowed for written submissions.
He encouraged farmers to speak up about how they would be affected by the changes.
“These proposed new vegetation management laws will make it harder for farmers to grow food, shut down new agricultural development opportunities and lead to perverse environmental outcomes that could damage rather than improve regional landscapes,” Mr Maudsley said.
“The laws will also mean more red tape for farmers trying to feed their animals during drought.
“Queensland farmers care about their land and have been growing safe, healthy, affordable food for generations, so you have to wonder why the Palaszczuk Government wants to make farmers’ jobs more difficult.
“With the laws now being considered by the State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee, it’s important as many individuals as possible explain how the laws affect them personally so the committee can better understand the impact on farm production.”
Mr Maudsley said the Palaszczuk Government was allowing less than two weeks for landholders to digest the proposed new laws and make written submissions and was yet to outline where and when regional hearings would be held.
“Landholders were given several months to have their say on similar vegetation management laws in 2016 that were ultimately rejected by the State Parliament, but now that Labor has a majority, the committee process has been cut short,” he said.
“With many farmers still trying to come to grips with what the changes mean for them and many parts of North Queensland cut off by heavy rain and floodwaters, AgForce has written to the committee appealing for an extension of the due date for written submissions.”
Written submissions are due by noon on March 22.
- More information about the committee’s inquiry and how to make a submission are available online
