INFORM-ACTION
Issue
Number 34 - September 2000
Land
Clearing in Queensland - Update
On Thursday 24 August,
the Premier of Queensland announced that he was moving to amend
the legislation that was designed to bring in some controls
on land clearing in Queensland. The Premier has caved into
pressure from a few agricultural bodies. The "of concern" vegetation
has been removed and the "endangered" ecosystems
only will be protected on freehold land. However, this represents
only 5% of freehold land.
The Queensland Government
has placed blame on the Federal Government for the decision
for not providing funding to implement the legislation. The
Federal Government has blamed Queensland. National, State and
regional conservation groups have slammed the decision, pointing
out the consequences in lost wildlife, increased salinity and
increased green-house gas emissions.
Letters and messages
to papers and other media outlets deploring these changes to
the proposed legislation would be very useful. Strong and clear
messages to the Prime Minister, John Howard, and to the Queensland
Premier would also be helpful. Parliamentary debate on the
amended legislation is occurring on 7 & 8 September.
See Vegetation
Clearing in Queensland Briefing Note
Newsletter Index
