DON’T ‘Trad’ on me was the constant message that reverberated down George Street as Queensland farmers demanded the Palaszczuk government walk away from proposed new draconian vegetation laws.
In a 400-plus strong march, farmers from across Queensland descended on parliament house to tell the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk that farmers were sick of being abused by a political process that failed to support the state’s food and fibre producers.
In the firing line was the controversial Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) and Other Legislation Bill, which wipes out common sense reforms introduced by the former LNP government.
AgForce president Grant Maudsley said the minority Palaszczuk government that values West End more than Western Queensland.
“We love working with the science,” Mr Maudsley said.
“But not green politics is not science. We just want fair laws for farmers.”
However, any suggestion that the Palaszczuk government would listen to the heartfelt concerns of Queensland’s farmers were doomed well before the first elastic-sided boot stepped onto George Street.
Deputy premier Jackie Trad, natural resources minister Anthony Lynham and environment minister Steven Miles attempted to slap down the protest almost two hours before the march, issuing a media claiming its new laws would allow agriculture to thrive while protecting the environment.
“It is simply unacceptable not to act,” Ms Trad said. “It is unacceptable to believe that 300,000 hectares being cleared every year is okay.
“We can deliver economic growth and development in the agriculture industry and protect our state’s most important ecosystems, particularly the Great Barrier Reef.”
The Labor-aligned Wilderness Society also said there was no basis for the AgForce claims that stronger laws would push up food prices, cost jobs or reduce agricultural production.
Wilderness Society Queensland campaign manager Tim Seelig said food prices fluctuated because of weather, trade, and supply and demand
“But farm productivity in real terms has been stable over the past couple of decades, unaffected by previously stronger laws, or their weakening by the previous Newman LNP government,” Mr Seelig said.
“In fact, we know this because AgForce has said so themselves. In statements following previous strengthening of clearing laws, AgForce made statements about how the farming sector had successfully adjusted to regulation, and accepted the need for protecting biodiversity.
“It’s time the current AgForce leadership ceased its misleading campaign against sensible reform, and accepted that protecting woodlands is good for us all, and stronger laws help protect our future.”
The claims were strongly refuted by Mitchell landholder Robyn Bryant, who addressed the rally outside parliament house.
“This legislation affects each and every person in Queensland,” Mrs Bryant said.
“It stunts economic growth, puts unnecessary pressure on the people who understand and know the land, and suggests that not only are we incapable of managing the land we own, but may also be criminals for doing so.
“Limiting growth will ultimately mean less jobs and increased food prices.
“It is about time the government stopped making policy for political gain and stood up for the people they took an oath to represent. It is time for the government to give farmers a chance.”
