Queensland Minister Calls for Reversal of New Federal Environmental Laws

QUEENSLAND agriculture minister Tony Perrett has called for an immediate reversal of the new Federal environmental laws, expressing concerns about their impact on the cattle industry and a lack of consultation in the law-making process.

Last week, the Federal Government passed updates to the Environmental Protection and Biosecurity Conservation (EPBC) Act following a deal with The Greens. The new legislation is designed to override state environmental laws, allowing for the reclassification of ongoing clearing permits for regrowth 15 years or older, and removing exemptions for high-risk land clearing.

Emotions are running high across the industry, with conversations focusing on the lack of consultation and detailed information surrounding the laws since their passage.

Beef Central has reported that the new laws are generating serious concern regarding property purchases, as the regrowth limits are set to take immediate effect.

Speaking at a press conference near Toowoomba, Minister Perrett stated that the new laws are already impacting confidence within the industry. “These rushed laws at a federal level create a scenario where lawful practices in this state may soon be deemed unlawful. Hard-working farmers could inadvertently find themselves labeled as criminals,” he said.

Critique of the Legislative Process

Perrett has also criticized the Coalition for being unable to reach a deal with Labor regarding these laws. He mentioned that he had written to Minister Murray Watt requesting a meeting about the legislative changes.

“I was in Canberra and, upon hearing about the rushed changes, I sought a meeting with him. He has completely ignored my attempts as the minister for primary industry,” Perrett stated, adding that this neglect exemplifies the arrogance of the Federal Labor/Greens coalition.

The Federal Coalition believed that the process would not be as hurried, with a Senate inquiry slated to report back next year. Perrett emphasized that the process should have continued and that submissions on the changes should have followed a normal timeline.

Misunderstandings About Land Regulations

In media interviews following the announcement, Environment Minister Murray Watt claimed that the new laws would align the agricultural sector with other industries, such as mining and housing development, which face stringent environmental assessments.

However, Perrett refuted these claims, arguing that the processes involved in other sectors represent a material change in land use. “Minister Watt does not understand planning laws, and his statements illustrate the haste with which this legislation was passed,” he commented.

Existing Regulations in Queensland

In lobbying for these new federal laws, Greens MPs and environmental organizations like the Australian Conservation Foundation have portrayed Australia as having unregulated land clearing practices. Both Perrett and AgForce General President Shane McCarthy have rejected this narrative, asserting that Queensland already operates under some of the strictest regulations.

Perrett urged his state government to stand firm against the new federal laws, highlighting that Queensland’s Property Maps of Assessable Vegetation (PMAV) have provided farmers with certain guarantees over the past 25 years.

Official Response and Future Steps

Responding to inquiries from Beef Central, Minister Watt stated:

“These changes were passed by Federal Parliament last week and will not be reversed. They do not prevent producers from clearing their land; they simply require federal environmental approval for high-risk land clearing activities.”

Watt insisted that all industries must adhere to the same environmental standards and asserted that his department has engaged extensively with various stakeholders in recent months.

“These balanced reforms are essential for both environmental protection and the economic growth of the country,” he concluded.