Environmental activists continue to run the debate

It was against this experience that I was disappointed to read a recent article in a major newspaper which listed quotes and data from green groups that would give Queenslanders the impression our state is an environmental disaster.

One quote attributed to the Australian Conservation Foundation particularly piqued my interest: "Over seven million hectares of habitat ... has been destroyed (nationally)".

When I searched for quotes from farmer and tourism groups defending Queensland's environmental credentials, I could find none.

The article would have us believe people and governments are running untreated sewage onto beaches and clearing vast tracts of virgin forests, none of which is true.

It also blamed habitat loss for species being threatened with extinction, but there was no mention of the millions of native animals killed by feral cats or the destruction of ground-nesting birds and turtles wrought by feral pigs.

There was also no mention of the importance to various ecosystems of open grasslands, a natural phenomenon noted by the early explorers and pastoralists.

The story was referring to federal plans to streamline the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act - something that has been agreed to by all the states.

The reforms are not - as green groups claimed in the article - watering down environment laws, they are designed to remove duplication between the two levels of government and give more decision-making power to the states.

There will still be federal oversight, just of a more efficient management system.

What concerned me greatly about the coverage was that there was no reference to land which is under active control by farmers with the guidance of natural resource management groups such as the restoration of savannah lands, the establishment of wetlands, improved farming practices and tree planting.

After stepping up pest control measures, sheep farmers in Western Queensland have noticed koalas and black swans returning to their properties.

These environmental wins should be celebrated but they are ignored by multi-national armchair environmentalists, and this is made worse when media outlets publish their claims without seeking alternative views.

Similarly, another major paper ran the following description of the Great Barrier Reef in July: "They (humans) come in their millions to cannibalise the reef's gifts, while deforested soil washes in, smothering coral, clouding water and poisoning fish."

Strangely, this absurd description appeared in a story meant to promote Australia's nature tourism.

I'm concerned that too much focus is given to those who tell us we're destroying the planet while those who are taking practical steps to improve the environment receive far less attention.

We get thousands of students taking a day off school to march against climate change, but struggle to get similar numbers to attend Clean Up Australia Day on a weekend.

While we are bombarded with claims of environmental Armageddon, people who live in and visit regional areas find themselves surrounded by amazing natural beauty, expertly and lovingly cared for by farmers and councils, with the help of government-sponsored NRM groups, scientists and extension officers.

One silver lining of the covid crisis has been that Queenslanders have avoided cities and headed to our Outback to see this natural beauty for themselves.

Western motels and caravan parks are enjoying full occupancy, and it should be noted that the money flowing in to these regions will only improve environmental outcomes as councils gain more resources to enhance and expand practical land management.

As someone who travels extensively in Outback and North Queensland, I know claims of an environmental crisis are not true, and I'm concerned that our children are growing up believing their parents and grandparents are leaving them a toxic, treeless wasteland.

I encourage all Queenslanders to see nature for themselves and not rely solely on alarmist statements to form their views.

- Susan McDonald is an LNP Senator for Queensland.