Queensland’s farm, fisheries and forestry sectors have been dealt yet another blow with the re-cycling of the lethargic Bill Byrne.
Shadow Agriculture Minister Dale Last said Minister Byrne’s appointment was a sad indictment of the total disconnect between the Palaszczuk Labor Government and rural and regional Queensland.
“Bill Byrne proved he had little empathy with agriculture and absolutely none with fisheries during his first shot in this important portfolio,” Mr Last said.
“Now he’s back following the resignation last week of disgraced former minister Leanne Donaldson.
“It’s hardly a day for rejoicing in Goondiwindi, Emerald, Longreach, Atherton or Mareeba, let alone Rockhampton and Gladstone where Bill Byrne has trashed the local commercial fishing fleets, seafood businesses and their workers.”
Mr Last said Minister Byrne was a person who thought it was okay to shoot rats in his roof but deny law-abiding farmers the short-arm weapons they needed for feral animal destruction.
“Minister Bill Byrne thinks by wearing RM Williams boots he has a connection with regional Queenslanders,” he said.
“During his previous stint as Ag minister he routinely refused to meet with industry stakeholders or lift a finger on any key issues in the portfolio.
“Bill Byrne stood by the rest of his union mates in State Parliament to try to deny farmers common sense vegetation management laws.”
