AgForce member and local MP Stephen Bennett has expressed his continued concerned over an anti-regions and anti-farming State Labor Government following their exclusion of farmers from an environmental round table.
The State Government deliberately excluded AgForce, a peak organisation representing Queensland’s rural producers, and other industry groups from a recent round table convened to discuss environmental issues.
This comes just one week after the Minister for the Environment and Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch touted the importance of collaboration in protecting Queensland’s precious and unique environment in a media release.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said this exclusion demonstrates extreme arrogance on behalf of the Labor Government, considering the farming industry owns and cares for 85 percent of the State’s area.
“Since when did these suburban Brisbane green groups acquire a monopoly on caring for the environment?” he said.
“It’s terrifying to see just how big a hold they now have over the State Government to convince them that they are the only ones with anything to contribute to the debate.
“This is a complete slap in the face for our farmers, it’s disrespectful and patronising.
“Our growers are not the enemy, the large majority want to pass on their land and water resources in better condition than they received it.
“I just don’t understand how they could be excluded from any discussion about the environment, when they are the ones who look after and know so much about the landscapes we are all trying to protect.
“This government is completely out of touch with the regions, they have completely ignored sound, science-based input into the design of Legislation again and again.
“We saw the same condescending approach to farmers with the Vegetation Management Act, the Protected Species Trigger Mapping, the Reef Protections Bill, and anything to do with bushfire management.
“Instead of seeking meaningful consultation from industry, we have once again seen them deliberately exclude agriculture from fundamental early conversations.
“I think it’s high time we also talked about how we have locked up our country’s forests through vegetation management and the termination of grazing permits, and in the meantime put our state at risk of going up in flames.
“We have had enough, this government cannot continue to get away with neglecting everyone who doesn’t live in the south-east corner.
“This is beyond a joke, we’re frustrated, angry and sick to death of being ignored.”
17/12/19