THE Palaszczuk government has cut short the committee process on its controversial new vegetation management laws, giving landholders only two weeks to provide written submissions.
AgForce president Grant Maudsley said landholders were given several months to have their say on similar vegetation management laws in 2016, that were ultimately rejected by parliament.
“Now that Labor has a majority, the committee process has been cut short," Mr Maudsley said.
"With many farmers still trying to come to grips with what the changes mean for them and many parts of North Queensland cut off by heavy rain and floodwaters, AgForce has written to the committee appealing for an extension of the due date for written submissions."
Now that Labor has a majority, the committee process has been cut short.
- Grant Maudsley, AgForce
The government is also still to outline where and when promised regional hearings would be held.
Mr Maudsley said the proposed laws had been referred to a parliamentary committee for examination and he encouraged Queensland farmers to speak up about how they would be personally affected by the changes.
"These proposed new vegetation management laws will make it harder for farmers to grow food, shut down new agricultural development opportunities and lead to perverse environmental outcomes that could damage rather than improve regional landscapes," Mr Maudsley said.
"The laws will also mean more red tape for farmers trying to feed their animals during drought.
"Queensland farmers care about their land and have been growing safe, healthy, affordable food for generations, so you have to wonder why the Palaszczuk government wants to make farmers' jobs more difficult.”
CLICK HERE to submit a written submission by March 22.
