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AgForce media release: 22 May 2013
Commonsense Changes for Sustainable Food Production
THE Queensland Parliament last night accepted the most commonsense changes to
legislation to support the sustainable production of food seen in a generation with the
passing of the Vegetation Management Framework Amendment Bill (2013).
The Bill, which was introduced to parliament in March by Minister for Mines and Natural
Resources, Andrew Cripps, will remove layers of onerous and unnecessary green tape
imposed on landholders under the Vegetation Management Act (1999) which for 14 years has
stifled sustainable primary production in this state. The passing of the Bill also marks more
than a decade of work from AgForce Queensland advocating the needs of primary producers
and the fundamental errors of the original act.
AgForce Queensland General President, Ian Burnett, said the changes to the framework
would see a restoration of balance between environmental outcomes and food production
and was one of the most sensible legislative changes made by a State Government in more
than 20 years.
“Minister Cripps, Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney and Premier Campbell Newman are to be
applauded for this move to instate a rational and balanced operating environment for our
primary producers as opposed to the skewed laws that were in place over the past 14 years,”
Mr Burnett said.
“Despite scare campaigns from extreme environmental groups stating otherwise these
changes have nothing to do with broadscale land clearing and everything to do with
landholders having the ability to sustainably manage their land.
“Primary producers are acutely aware of their responsibility to care for the environment and
know properly looking after land and waterways in fundamental to future generations and to
the longevity of their businesses.
“The Bill will simply remove arduous administrative burdens that, since their inception, have
resulted in no real on the ground environmental outcomes.”
Before being passed last night the Bill was independently considered by the State
Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee and open to public consultation.
Through this process the proposed changes to the act garnered the support of the vast
majority of submissions made to the Committee including that from the Queensland
Competition Authority.
AgForce members played the lead role in advocating for these changes through vocal support
of the Bill and providing more than half the submissions put to the Parliamentary Committee.
“Queensland primary producers are widely recognised as some of the best primary producers
in the world and agriculture is an industry all Queenslanders should be proud of,” Mr Burnett
said.
“Today we have seen recognition of our farmers as responsible custodians of our land and a
restoration of balance to what has been a virtually untenable framework.
“From here, producers will be able to focus on what they to best which is produce food for
our communities and an ever-growing world population.”
For media enquiries, contact
AgForce media and communications: Stacey Milner 0418 733 102 or [email protected]
Nadine Long 0427 626 853 or [email protected]
Who is AgForce? AgForce represents thousands of Queensland broadacre producers who recognise the value in having a
strong voice. AgForce leads the way to ensure agriculture’s social, economic and environmental contribution is recognised
by all levels of government. AgForce works alongside landholders, encourages and supports the next generation, builds
industry partnerships and skills and promotes agriculture - for secure, sustainable, progressive and profitable food and fibre
into the future.