Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett is encouraging farmers and other landholders to join with rural industry groups to speak out against the state government’s proposed changes to land clearing laws.
Mr Bennett said landholders would have the opportunity to stand up and have their say on how the anti-agriculture Vegetation Management laws would impact them at a public hearing in Bundaberg next week.
The local MP warned that the Labor Government’s Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill was more extensive and aggressive than simply overturning the LNP’s 2013 changes.
“Current vegetation management framework put in place by the former LNP Government in 2013 provided opportunities for Queensland’s agriculture to grow and I strongly believe they should stay in place,” Mr Bennett said.
“Unlike the Palaszczuk Labor Government, the LNP is committed to defending high value agriculture approvals, securing regrowth vegetation for freehold property owners and treating landholders with fairness.
Mr Bennett said given the Palaszczuk Government’s proposed legislation was retrospective and sought to reinstate the reversal of the onus of proof, the LNP would fight hard to prevent farmers and landholders being treated like criminals.
“This is a critical issue for farmers across Queensland, including farmers in the Bundaberg and Burnett region.”
Mr Bennett urged landholders to prepare a short presentation of up to five minutes expressing their concerns at the public hearing.
“Those interested in having their say should advise the Committee of their intentions to speak.”
The public hearing, hosted by the Agriculture and Environment Committee, will be held on Wednesday, June 1, at the Civic Centre, Bourbong Street, from 11:30am to 1pm.
[ENDS] 25 May 2016