Queensland graziers lodge open letters to Ministers as vegetation management decision looms

It was Dr Lynham who saved the eye sight of their 24-year-old son, Newton, after he was seriously injured in a motorbike accident on their property. 

But now the Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Labor’s new vegetation management laws are threatening the livelihood of their business and those around them; agriculture.

Ms Davison, her husband Bill and daughter Kayla operate a beef and cropping business with about 4046 hectares of cultivation planting mixed grains.

In an open letter to Dr Lynham posted on Facebook yesterday and sent to the Minister, Ngare Davison spoke of her disappointment that Dr Lynham had not treated those in the bush the same way he had treated his country patients, with an unbiased full head of knowledge. 

“You were exceptional and new straight away what his (Newton’s) problem was because this was your speciality and you had exceptional knowledge, which was a huge relief to us after nearly 24 hours of mixed answers from other doctors,” she said.

“At the time you were disappointed other doctors had not picked up on this and looked at the big picture.

“Why then, as a politician, are you blindly following a path without looking at the bigger picture?

“Farmers aren't asking you not to look after the environment they just want you to consider there knowledge and expertise in the decision making.”

According to his website, Dr Lynham has worked and conducted research as a Senior Doctor at both the Prince Charles Hospital, and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

Ms Davison said Dr Lynham’s name would forever be linked with the legislation which was a shame given he had taken in all angles during their son’s health battle to come up with a solution.

“At the moment you are trying to give Maxalon (medication) to a sick patient to stop him vomiting when he really has an eye muscle compression,” she said.

“And if you only treat one view and not the whole patient you are going to leave behind irreparable damage. Save our environment with a complete picture.”

The Queensland Country Life contacted Dr Lynham who said he fondly remembered the Davison family and found it gratifying to know that what he had done as a surgeon had made a difference.

He believes landholders will still be able to maintain their land under the new laws.

“The Vegetation Management legislation is the culmination of years of debate and consultation with industry, environmental groups, traditional owners and other stakeholders,” he said.

“Consultation has included a working committee holding public meetings across Queensland and considering thousands of submissions before making a recommendation to government.

“Our goal has always been for the legislation to be balanced, measured and responsible.”

AgForce also shared an open letter from a disgruntled member penned to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk after her visit to their property last year.

The letter from ‘Just a Farmer’s Wife’ spoke of how the Premier enjoyed smoko in their machinery shed and asked the farming family how we could get more chickpea in the ground. 

“You asked if the problem was that there wasn’t enough land,” the letter read.

“Do you remember the response you got, from a second generation farmer? – There’s plenty of land. We could plant plenty of chickpea. But we need to clear some of that land.

“Do you remember how quickly you shut down that conversation?

“Thank you for that day. Thank you for reminding us why we make the choices we do when it comes to voting time.

“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to give you a chance. And thank you for letting us down, because it shows us that we do make the right decision with our vote.”