Queensland Producers Call For Common-Sense Environmental Reforms

Queensland’s agricultural sector is calling for stronger consultation and clearer regulations as the Federal Government undertakes a major overhaul of Australia’s environmental laws.

The reforms to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act were the focus of Environment Minister Murray Watt’s recent National Press Club address. In response, AgForce General President Shane McCarthy said producers are prepared to engage immediately to ensure the new laws protect the environment without compromising the productivity of one of the nation’s most critical industries.

The EPBC reform bills have been referred to a five-month Senate inquiry, which Mr McCarthy says presents a valuable opportunity for meaningful dialogue with Queensland farmers—who manage the largest portion of Australia’s agricultural land.

There is concern within the sector that Queensland agricultural stakeholders have had limited engagement so far, despite the significance of the reforms. With agriculture contributing more than 5.7 per cent of Australia’s GDP, Mr McCarthy said it is essential that farmers’ insights help shape the revised legislation.

He highlighted several areas of confusion within the current EPBC Act, including duplication with state consent provisions, which can leave producers unintentionally breaching federal law even when they meet Queensland’s regulatory requirements.

“AgForce seeks clarity and certainty for Queensland producers in navigating increasingly complex and sometimes contradictory regulations across different government departments and levels,” he said.

“We are the stewards of much of Queensland’s vast landscapes and feel a deep sense of personal responsibility for protecting the environment for future generations and ensuring the food security and prosperity of this nation. We deserve to have a say in how Australia’s land and water is managed.

“The agricultural opportunity in Queensland is immense, and it is producers who hold the practical knowledge and capacity to deliver the balance between production, sustainability, and food security that the federal government is seeking.

“Farmers and regional communities must be genuinely included and consulted on matters that impact agricultural stability and innovation.”

AgForce continues to call for clearer consultation processes and greater certainty for producers navigating future reforms.

AgForce is Queensland’s peak representative body for rural producers.

Queensland graziers and growers want certainty under new EPBC laws, calling for clearer rules that support both sustainability and food security (Photo Credit: Sandie Peters)

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