LNP Shadow Environment Minister David Crisafulli is urging farmers to have their say on Labor’s botched reef laws at a public hearing in Cairns today.
Mr Crisafulli said Labor’s changes would hand huge powers over farms and agri-businesses to Brisbane-based bureaucrats, without guaranteeing significant benefits to the Great Barrier Reef.¬¬¬¬
The Palaszczuk Labor Government only agreed to hold public consultation meetings in affected communities at 5pm on Friday – giving Far North Queensland residents a single working day’s notice.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk wants to minimise scrutiny because these laws are nothing more than a power-grab by her government,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Labor is proposing sweeping new laws for the collection of data from producers and agri-businesses without any idea of how they’ll be used.*
“Bureaucrats in Brisbane will be handed powers to decide how, when and where a farmer in Far North Queensland can work.
“The laws don’t even require decisions to be based on science or industry feedback.
“Department of Environment officials have admitted these measures won’t meet water quality targets even if they are fully enforced.**
“Labor is demanding police-state powers for its half-baked plan and I urge the Cairns community to make its voice heard today.
‘There’s no reason to rush these changes and punish regional communities for poorly-designed laws. We’ve got to get the changes right to ensure the best environmental protection for the Great Barrier Reef.
“The LNP wants to ensure a plan that protects the Great Barrier Reef, while protecting the rights of land owners.”
