"A dark day for Queenslanders" - new laws threaten nature, landholder rights

Community groups have warned that new state development laws, passed last night by the LNP government, will give the Deputy Premier unprecedented powers to fast-track major projects while stripping Queenslanders of important community, environmental, landholder and First Nations protections. 

The Queensland government passed the State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation last night with minimal amendments, despite widespread opposition from farming bodies, environmental groups, legal experts and politicians. Labor, the Katter Party and the Greens all voted against the amendments.

Lock the Gate Alliance National Coordinator Ellen Roberts said:

These laws mark a dark new chapter for democracy in Queensland. From today, Queenslanders have fewer rights to have a say on mining and infrastructure projects that affect them, even projects that are proposed on their privately owned land.

The LNP government has silenced concerned community voices and passed sweeping and anti-democratic laws that weaken safeguards for prime agricultural land, the environment and First Nations communities' rights.

These laws hand the Deputy Premier unprecedented powers to override community rights to fast-track a wide range of private development projects - whether that be a coal mine, a gas field, a weapons facility or new infrastructure.

The government made a very small amendment to the legislation last night protecting the need for a 'regional interest development approval' if the project is on prime agricultural land. However Bleijie has retained personal sweeping powers to dictate the process and assessment criteria for this already weak approval, which farmers have been so concerned about. In substance this amendment does not retain rights for farmers.

We are thankful that Labor, the Katter's Australian Party and the Greens voted against this Bill in Parliament last night.

Queensland Conservation Council Acting Director Anthony Gough said:

These laws were rejected by a broad coalition of farming bodies, environmentalists and legal experts.

Conservationists remain deeply concerned this law will be used to ram through a range of damaging projects - including developments in National Parks - without community consultation or respect for the environmental damage they will cause. Snap protests were held across the state, and nearly 90% of public submissions criticised the Bill.

The state government has ignored the community and rushed these laws through in a matter of months, but their impact on Queenslanders and the natural environment will be felt for generations to come.

Cairns and Far North Queensland Environment Centre Cape York Campaigner Lucy Graham said:

Today the State Government has put major developers and mining companies first. By passing these laws despite huge pushback from across multiple sectors, it's clear who this government is listening to.

The way these laws have been pushed through is a warning sign of what’s to come: big development prioritised and community, Traditional Owners, agricultural and environmental concerns pushed to the side.

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