OPPOSITION natural resources spokesman Andrew Cripps says he will not be distracted by leadership speculations in the LNP, saying his focus is firmly on defeating the Palaszczuk government’s punitive vegetation management laws.
Speaking in Toogoolawah this afternoon (Wednesday), Mr Cripps said the impact of the proposed laws would be devastating to not only rural landholders but also for people with bush lifestyle blocks as well as the residential property industry. .
“I will be not distracted,” Mr Cripps said. “The leadership issue may be creating a distraction for some, but I am firmly focused on doing whatever I can to make sure these terrible laws do not come into being.”
Mr Cripps encouraged people at the meeting to communicate particularly with Queensland parliament’s five crossbench members as well as family and members of the community about the negative impact of the new laws.
He said the proposed laws would deem landholders guilty of alleged breaches of the Vegetation Management forcing landholders to prove their innocence.
“Introducing a reverse onus of proof is just not acceptable, in fact it is outrageous,” Mr Cripps said. “This is Queensland. People are innocent until proven guilty.”
He said the new laws would also remove ‘mistake of fact’ as a defense.
“Even if people are provided with the wrong information by the department it cannot be used as a defense,” he said.
“The current laws should continue. They meet the needs of the environment while respecting the rights of landholders. Labor want s to return to red tape and unfairly punishing landholders.”
He also encouraged people to register their opposition to the proposed laws on a e-petition to Queensland parliament supported by AgForce.
Opposition agriculture spokesperson Deb Frecklington said it was very clear that the Labor Party was desperate to appease the greens.
“Just look at the recent council elections,” Ms Frecklington said. “For the first time in history the Gabba Ward in Brisbane elected a Greens councillor. That is (deputy premier) Jackie Trad’s seat. Labor will do absolutely anything they can to keep the greens happy.”
Mr Cripps is the architect of the current vegetation management laws which were brought in under the former LNP government.
About 70 people also attended a meeting in Gympie this morning.
A third meeting will be held at 9am in Kingaroy Town Common Hall tomorrow (Thursday).
Lawrence Springborg’s leadership of the LNP will be tested on Friday. Brisbane based MPs Tim Mander (Everton) and Tim Nicholls (Clayfield) have been named as possible candidates.
Mr Mander has since confirmed he will contest the position of leader of the LNP.