Farmers vow to fight new land-clearing laws
Farmers won’t give up after passing of vegetation bill
THE passing of new vegetation management laws cast a dark shadow over the future of Queensland farmers.
Farmers from across the state fought their best fight to oppose the new laws, sharing their stories and providing evidence to prove how they manage their land sustainably.
Mulga lands advocate Scott Sargood has been doing his part in the fight for fair vegetation management laws. He has erected educational billboards with the help of local councils and organisations, as well as providing a strong social media campaign with his wife Adma.
He said he was disappointed in the decision made by the Labor Government.
“It’s a bit mind boggling really that they haven’t considered one amendment or anything,” he said.
“I’d like to know the point they’re trying to prove because I don’t know what it is.
“If their intention was to embarrass us and make us go away, I think it’s going to work in the opposite direction.
“I think they’ve only made us more determined to continue on and get this thing sorted out in the future.”
Mr Sargood said it had been an eye-opening experience for him.
“Personally it was very educational. I thought Queensland was a better place than that, I didn’t think there would be people in power who were as narrow-minded and ruthless and thoughtless,” he said.
“I’m not cranky, or wild. I’m just very disappointed by the example they’re setting for Queensland.
“There’s obviously a lot of people who are very disappointed with the results.
“I think as group, as graziers, we have to keep our social media and the education side of things up.
“Eventually we will get there, we’ve just got to not give up.”
The fight for better vegetation management laws is not over, according to AgForce general president Grant Maudsley.
“Farmers love and care for their land and only manage vegetation to sustainably produce the great food and fibre that consumers in Australia and overseas demand,” he said. “These laws are the worst of both worlds. The changes make it harder for farmers to grow food and deliver worse not better environmental outcomes.
“It’s a real kick in the guts for the next generation of farmers who want to expand and grow their businesses but have now had their futures stolen away from them.
“One thing is for sure – this is not over. This is the beginning, not the end.”