THE Palaszczuk government’s draconian vegetation laws are dead.
Labor failed to secure the numbers for its anti-agriculture laws in parliament last night, which would have stripped farmers of existing rights, denied basic civil liberties, and according to farm groups delivered perverse environmental outcomes.
The rejection of the laws is a major embarrassment for the minority Palaszczuk government which had been relentlessly bashing farmers in a crash or crash through attempt to appease Labor-aligned extreme green groups.
The bill was defeated 44 to 42. The LNP opposition, two Katter members and Labor turned independent Billy Gordon voted against the bill. Labor turned independent Rob Pyne voted in favour of the controversial laws. Despite suggestions earlier yesterday that he may abstain from the vote, Labor member for Mirani, Jim Pearce, also voted in favour of the bill.
The defeat of the bill is also a major win for the opposition and particularly for Opposition natural resources spokesman Andrew Cripps, who has campaigned across Queensland warning of disaster that the laws would unfold on farmers, communities and the economy.
Mr Cripps said the defeat of the Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 upheld the rights of Queensland farmers while continuing to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
“Tonight’s result is a huge win for Queensland’s farmers, small businesses and first home buyers and a vote of confidence in the strength of our laws in terms of the protection of the reef - this sends a strong message to Labor that Labor’s laws were fundamentally unfair and unworkable,” Mr Cripps said.
“For months, Queensland’s farming industry has had their future hanging in limbo as Labor threatened to take away their rights and make them criminals on their own land.
“Our farmers deserve more credit than that – they know their land better than anyone and they deserve the rights to manage it effectively and responsibly.
What will possibly sting Labor most is that it was deputy premier Jackie’s Trad decision to strip natural resources minister Anthony Lynham of his responsibilities and abandon a repeatedly promised round-table consultation process announced soon after Labor’s surprise 2015 election win. The process would have involved all stakeholders in discussions to amend the reforms introduced by the former LNP government.
Instead, Ms Trad caved to pressure from Labor-aligned extreme green groups including the Wilderness Society and the WWF which refused to be part of the process. Ms Trad and her environment minister Steven Miles were vicious in their attacks on agriculture, painting farmers as environmental vandals.
Mr Cripps said Labor was singularly interested in securing green preferences at the ballot box rather than recognising the existing laws delivered a sensible balance between environment and agriculture.
“Last year, vegetation management activities occurred on just 0.15 per cent of Queensland’s land surface, proving Labor’s scare campaign on the future of the Great Barrier Reef was unwarranted and misleading,” Mr Cripps said.
“Labor’s laws would have removed property rights for our farmers and indigenous groups, reduced productivity of the agriculture sector, threatened jobs in our regions and led to skyrocketing land prices, making urban housing more expensive.
“Our farmers are already facing the impacts of one of the worst droughts on record, the last thing they needed were further setbacks brought about by a Government that should be supporting them.
“Our laws had the right balance between protecting our environment and allowing farmers to manage their land.
“After months of uncertainty, our rural families that supply the food and fibre we all need can now look towards the future with confidence.”
Labor aligned green group WWF said it would continue to work with the Queensland and Australian Governments to protect trees and koala habitat, and ensure the Reef’s World Heritage status is preserved.
“We acknowledge the strong efforts of the Queensland Government to fulfil their commitments to the Queensland public and the world,” a statement, issued after parliament rejected the anti-agriculture laws, said.
