March 20, 2018
AgForce has described as “rushed and ridiculous” and an “absolute joke” the way consultations for proposed new vegetation management laws are being handled by the State Government.
General President Grant Maudsley said on Tuesday the public hearing schedule for the Parliamentary Committee had five hearings jammed into just three days next week.
“These laws are the worst of both worlds. The Palaszczuk Government will make it harder for farmers to grow food and they won’t deliver the best environmental outcomes either,” he said.
“The Palaszczuk Government seems to have no idea how the laws would work on the ground, and are providing very little practical information to farmers and regional Departmental staff to understand what is being proposed.
“What we do know is the laws will mean more red tape for farmers trying to feed their animals during drought, and these laws will make it more difficult for farmers to ensure the right balance of trees and grass on their properties to reduce erosion and maintain productivity.
“Under proposed new codes, farmers face potentially tens of thousands of dollars in extra costs and months of delays just to carry out routine vegetation management, and this could make many businesses unviable. If farmers can’t feed their own families, they can’t feed yours.”
Despite his criticism of the committee process, Mr Maudsley urged farmers to get written submissions into the inquiry by noon on Thursday (April 22) and to “turn up in droves” to regional hearings next week.
“I urge all rural Queenslanders and anyone concerned about the future of agriculture to attend these hearings, give evidence and hold respectful but robust protests so the Labor politicians on the committee are left in no doubt about what farmers think of these proposed laws,” he said.
Mr Maudsley said the State Government’s new laws went much further than those rejected by Parliament in 2016 and “would shut down new agricultural development opportunities at a time when global demand for Australian food and fibre was at an all-time high”.
“Farmers just want fair and workable laws to grow more food, create more jobs and look after the environment without being strangled in red tape,” he said.
“AgForce spent many months developing a policy proposal aimed at putting an end to this divisive debate, but the Palaszczuk Government won’t listen and has slammed the door in farmers’ faces.
“We’re calling on the Queensland Parliament to reject these flawed laws and instead work with those most affected by the changes to come up with a long-lasting solution that delivers good outcomes for both agriculture and the environment.
“Our food is too important to be caught up in politics year after year and election after election.”
Regional hearings will be held in Rockhampton, Townsville (March 27), Cloncurry (March 28), Longreach, Charleville (March 29) and Cairns (April 13).
More details, including how to register to be a witness at the regional hearings, are available on the Parliamentary Committee’s website
