When the Palaszczuk Labor Government came to power in 2015 it promised openness and accountability, but this appears to be another broken promise.
Agricultural and biosecurity advisory committees and councils used by industry bodies and farmers to hold the government to account on its departmental and operational activities have not been meeting.
LNP Shadow Minister for Agriculture Tony Perrett said it’s a disgrace Queensland’s biosecurity agricultural development isn’t a priority for Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“Queensland’s key biosecurity advisory committee used to provide strategic oversight and advice to the Agriculture Minister on biosecurity matters has not met since January 2018,” Mr Perrett said.
"Even more alarming, there has been no BQMAC meetings while Labor conducts a secret review of the Biosecurity Act and Regulations.
“While Queensland farms have been invaded by animal extremists risking on-farm biosecurity, this Labor Government has refused to allow feedback on its dismal record.
“Queensland’s Agricultural Ministerial Advisory Council (AgMAC) which was lobbied for by industry and promised by Labor before the 2017 election, has only met 3 times, and only once in 2019**.
“AgMAC was designed to address critical competitiveness and productivity issues, as well as identifying growth opportunities within the agriculture and food sectors and it’s appalling that its been purposefully put out to pasture.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s culture of secrecy and coverups is hurting rural and regional Queensland.
“Farmers and their representatives have been shut, while the Palaszczuk Labor Government ignores biosecurity issues and industry development.
"Unlike Labor, the LNP will never take our biosecurity and agriculture for granted because we understand how important it is to our farmers and protecting local jobs.
