Protest aims at land laws

A PROTEST against the State Government’s controversial vegetation management laws is being held in Townsville tomorrow.

North Queensland farmers and agriculture supporters will march to the office of Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper demanding that the laws be dumped.

AgForce North Queensland regional president Russell Lethbridge said the proposed vegetation management laws would hurt the people and economy of North Queensland.

“With Townsville’s unemployment rate above 8 per cent and among the highest in Queensland, you would think local MPs would be doing everything they could to support job creation, not introducing laws that stifle development and job opportunities,” he said.

Mr Lethbridge took aim at Mundingburra MP Coralee O’Rourke and Townsville MP Scott Stewart as well for backing the policy.

He said the proposed laws would ban new high- value agriculture applications, which would particularly affect North Queensland where there was untapped potential.

“At a time when global demand for our great food and fibre has never been higher, these laws will shut down new agricultural development opportunities in North Queensland,” Mr Lethbridge said.

“Farmers just want fair and workable laws to grow more food, create jobs and look after their environment without being strangled in red tape.

“It’s pretty simple – if farmers can’t feed their own families, they can’t feed yours.”

The State Government defended the proposed laws last week.

Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said the changes proposed were backed by science and had been prepared by the Queensland Herbarium and peer reviewed by the CSIRO. “If the current clearing rate continues, it will drive native wildlife to extinction, put jobs reliant on the Great Barrier Reef at risk, drive up Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, and prevent Australia from meeting its international climate commitments,” she said.

“This policy forms part of a suite of initiatives the Palaszczuk Government is delivering to protect our environment, tackle climate change and reduce carbon emissions.”

The Townsville rally will gather in the vacant area opposite the Kirwan Police Station from noon before marching to Mr Harper’s office at 12.30pm.

Mr Lethbridge encouraged anyone wanting to be involved to join the march.

“We encourage anyone concerned about the economic future of North Queensland to attend.”

A public hearing into the new law is being held tomorrow in Townsville from 4pm to 6.30pm at the Seagulls Seafront Resort.