LOBBY GROUP S SOFT ON LABOR REEF REGS
HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto has labelled sugar cane lobby groups asleep at the wheel for failing to acknowledge a Katter’s Australian Party Bill that will “repeal Labor’s farm-destroying reef regulations”.
Mr Dametto accepted canegrowers had come out in a recent media statement endorsing an LNP commitment for a “review” into the Reef regulations, but questioned why they had not supported KAP’S draft Bill.
“After I drafted the KAP’S Environmental and Other Legislation (Reversal of Great Barrier Reef Protection Measures) Amendment Bill 2020 months ago, I wrote to Canegrowers, AgForce and the state Opposition Leader asking for their feedback, suggested amendments and support,” he said.
“To date, we have not had a response from any of them.”
Mr Dametto said growers had been demanding that political parties commit to a repeal of Labor’s reef legislation ahead of election.
“The KAP will be doing just that with our Bill but instead it seems some grower lobby groups are content with settling for far less with the LNP’S commitment. Farmers should be asking why.”
Mr Dametto said with the exception of one LNP MP, the party had “betrayed” farmers by voting with Labor to appoint a commissioner who would not only dictate how mining businesses operated but would also enforce last year’s amendments to the Environmental Protection Act that would “introduce draconian regulation on farmers in the six reef catchment areas”.
“The LNP and Labor have established a legislative hitman answerable only to the Environment Minister and no one else,” he said.
Mr Dametto said backing Queensland agriculture was more than just “a bunch of one liners and calls to stand shoulder to shoulder at a rally. You actually need to back words with actions”. this year’s state