Government didn’t help farmers over reef: Senator Susan McDonald
A Senator has claimed the State Government had failed Queensland farmers after public hearings into the Great Barrier Reef Regulations.
Townsville
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LNP Senator Susan McDonald has claimed the State Government had failed Queensland farmers after public hearings into the Great Barrier Reef Regulations.
The Senate inquiry was designed to look at the reef regulations, which were implemented by the State Government in 2019.
But Senator McDonald said the evidence presented at the hearings “painted a grim picture of the State Government’s consultation process”.
“I was disappointed listening to farmers say how little effort the State Government put into going on farm and helping them improve land management practices,” she said.
“These regulations unfairly and incorrectly would have us all believe farmers aren’t interested in protecting the environment.
“The Queensland Government has ignored the fact that study after study shows that run-off from farms has been reduced by industry, and that the actual amounts of run-off reaching the reef proper is minuscule.”
Home Hill farmer Mark Vass said despite the hearings, he did not see the reforms being overturned.
Mr Vass said some of the evidence given at the hearings had seemed positive for farmers who want the regulations overturned.
“But I would like to see, as a farmer, if we were really doing the damage that they are saying we are doing absolutely, the majority of farmers would take it on the chin and we would adapt our practices and keep improving them until we get better results,” he said.
“We do not want to be damaging the environment. It is as simple as that; we all fish at the reef, kids want to fish at the reef. The fact that we are made out to be these environmental vandals is just ludicrous.”
The State Government was contacted for comment but did not respond in time for print.
Originally published as Government didn’t help farmers over reef: Senator Susan McDonald