The Fight to Protect Queensland’s Agriculture Hits a Roadblock

The new LNP State Government has proven that it is not farmer-friendly, according to the Independent Candidate for Groom, Suzie Holt. The announcement by the new Attorney-General, Deb Frecklington, to cancel the landmark review into objections against new mining leases has raised serious concerns about transparency and the balance between resource development and agricultural sustainability.

Ms. Holt stated that the Queensland Law Reform Commission (QLRC) was close to completing its two-year review, set to report by June 30, when Ms. Frecklington terminated it on March 4, during Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The QLRC’s review focused on fairness, efficiency, and effectiveness of the objection processes. However, its cancellation shows that the new LNP Queensland Government wants to hide its findings from the public, particularly from the farm sector.

The issue has now been handed to the Resources Cabinet Committee, comprising four new Government Ministers, which appears to be prioritizing faster mining approvals over landholder rights and environmental protections.

Ms. Holt is calling on the Queensland Government, particularly the Member for Condamine, to ensure the QLRC Review is completed and publicly released. She highlighted that during the Queensland Election campaign late last year, Pat Weir, the LNP Member for Condamine, confirmed the LNP's position regarding the Condamine Alluvium.

Mr. Weir said, "Our proposal is to amend the Regional Planning Interests Act so that any resource company will have to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that they will not have a detrimental impact on that land, above or below the surface, that includes the Condamine Alluvium. This would apply to any new drilling, whereby resource companies would have to go through a full Regional Interests Development Approval (RIDA) process before any drilling can be done on the Condamine Alluvium."

Ms. Holt remarked, "Well, it looks like Mr. Weir and his colleagues have already forgotten what they clearly said. Once again, farmers have put their faith in a party that purports to best represent them. They say one thing to their faces and then vote the opposite way when it is not in the interests of their masters – the mining sector.

“They have form in the Federal sphere too. Cast your mind back to the then Member for Groom, Ian MacFarlane, standing on the back of a truck in full flight admirably backing the farmers against CSG only then to start batting for the other team on retirement from politics by joining the Queensland Resources Council.

“The current Member for Groom, Mr. Hamilton, is keeping his head down wanting to appear the farmer’s friend when in reality he will do as he is told and say one thing to the farmers whilst supporting making it easier for the mining sector at the expense of the people who grow our food and fibre and who will be there when the mining sector has moved on."

"It shouldn’t be a 'them and us' attitude, however, and this review, if completed, would have recognized the value of each sector with recommendations for better transparency and balance, while reducing complexities and improving efficiencies. It is tricky to determine the current government’s strategy for Agriculture, given that it must be considered a major pillar of our economy. Premier David Crisafulli did pledge $30 million to support Queensland’s agriculture sector, aiming to grow its value to $30 billion by 2030. With a Gross Value of Production (GVP) of $1.27 billion in 2023-24, Toowoomba remains Queensland’s top-performing agricultural region, contributing to the sector’s record-high $23.56 billion valuation. Queensland must ensure mining approvals do not undermine agricultural sustainability, water security, and regional communities. Protecting prime agricultural land, particularly critical water resources like the Condamine Alluvium, must remain a policy priority. Moreover, it must be protected to ensure long-term economic stability, as well as our food security. Transparent governance, integrity, comprehensive impact assessments, and genuine community consultation are essential to ensuring both industries thrive together."

"With this in mind, I have been working with farmers on amendments to the EPBC Act and other possible avenues at the Federal level which will give better security to the farm sector whilst still allowing the mining sector to contribute to our local and national economy and I look forward to this continuing into the future," Ms. Holt said.