Environmental Protection (Great Barrier Reef Protection Measures) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019

Criticised the bill for imposing unreasonable costs on local government sewage treatment plants without sufficient evidence that their impacts are significant, and for lacking appropriate cost modelling.

“With this legislation, down the track there will be a significant increase in the cost of living. As ratepayers have to pay more to upgrade those sewage treatment plants to get them up to standard, that money is going to have to come from somewhere and it will most likely come from ratepayers.”— 2019-09-19View Hansard

Supported the bill as forward-looking legislation that protects the iconic Great Barrier Reef and the $6 billion it contributes to the economy.

“This legislation is forward looking. It acknowledges the importance of the Great Barrier Reef, not just to Queensland but to the entire world.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

As Minister, introduced and defended the bill as critical to protecting the Great Barrier Reef by improving water quality through regulation of agricultural run-off, responding to scientific evidence and UNESCO requirements.

“This bill has one very important objective—that is, to protect the Great Barrier Reef by improving water quality.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Strongly opposed the bill as an egregious assault on farming communities driven by political expediency, arguing it grants excessive powers and will drive industry from regional Queensland.

“I foreshadow my support for the amendments to be put forward by the LNP opposition. It goes without saying that I will be voting against the bill. It is an utter disgrace and an assault on our cane farming community.”— 2019-09-19View Hansard

Opposed the bill as draconian legislation, arguing that existing voluntary catchment programs working with local stakeholders were already effective and that consultation was a better approach than regulation.

“We do not need to introduce draconian legislation. Good government is about allowing those catchments throughout Queensland to work together, in consultation with each other, to come up with a proposal and get an outcome.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Opposed the bill as handing excessive regulatory powers to unelected bureaucrats to set farming standards without parliamentary oversight, while acknowledging the need to protect the reef and that agriculture and the reef can coexist.

“Today we are asking this parliament to blindly hand over powers to set the farming practices of industries throughout this state to an unelected bureaucrat.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Opposed the bill as another attack on hardworking Queenslanders, arguing the LNP's amendments were the only way to achieve a balance between protecting the reef and safeguarding farming communities.

“The LNP values both the reef and its communities. We have a record of protecting both and the amendments to be moved by our shadow minister, the member for Broadwater, will allow those opposite to contribute to that record.”— 2019-09-19View Hansard

Stated the LNP opposes the bill, criticising the committee process and arguing the legislation would harm regional Queensland.

“The LNP oppose the bill.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Supported the bill, arguing voluntary approaches have failed with only 1% of graziers and 11% of canefarmers accredited under BMP standards, making regulation necessary to protect the reef.

“We know that the voluntary approach has not worked. There has not been sufficient take-up, as evidenced by overall progress.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as a sensible measure reflecting significant consultation, arguing the science is clear that reef health is in decline due to climate change and water quality issues.

“On this side of the House, we know that it takes courage and it takes hard work in order to achieve change and reform and in order to deliver for all Queenslanders. That is exactly what this bill does.”— 2019-09-19View Hansard

Characterised the bill as a clumsy and punitive green-inspired attack on regional Queensland, criticising Labor's record on reef protection.

“I rise to make a contribution to this bill, which has rightly drawn widespread condemnation as a clumsy and punitive green inspired attack on regional Queensland.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Strongly opposed the bill as another attack on farmers by the worst government in history for agriculture, arguing it will cost jobs in regional communities and impose unknown costs on primary producers.

“The LNP and I reject these outrageous laws, which are yet again another hammer blow to farmers in this state.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Strongly opposed the bill, characterising it as the product of a 'Labor-Green left-wing loony alliance' that uses farmers as whipping boys to gain popularity in south-east Queensland seats.

“This legislation will be opposed and should be opposed. It exposes those on the other side of the House for the Labor-Green left-wing loony alliance that they are, and they should not be running this great state.”— 2019-09-19View Hansard

Supported the bill as vital to protect reef jobs and the agricultural industry, arguing the standards in the legislation are already approved and accepted by industry.

“The legislation is vital to ensure that the reef and the jobs in the agricultural industry and the economic benefits that they support are protected now and into the future.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Opposed the bill's one-size-fits-all approach and inadequate funding ($25 million versus estimated $10 billion cost), while acknowledging the reef is worth protecting for future generations.

“We all want to protect the Great Barrier Reef. All members on both sides of the chamber want to protect the Great Barrier Reef. It is a world famous icon.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Opposed the bill and criticised the government for gagging debate, arguing that effective reef protection requires bringing people along through cooperation and transparency rather than legislation cooked up behind closed doors.

“Let's protect the Great Barrier Reef with great cooperation, understanding, education and laws that get the balance right. Let's also protect our communities and local economies. That means you have to bring everyone with you.”— 2019-09-19View Hansard

Opposed the bill but indicated support for LNP amendments, arguing the science was not well quality-checked and the legislation may not have significant effect on reef health while harming farm viability.

“That is why I will be supporting the amendments that I think are effective and sensible.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Supported the bill based on clear scientific evidence that water quality is vital to reef health, rejecting the opposition's false choice between supporting the reef and supporting farmers.

“You can do both. Indeed, I would argue that the ongoing health of the reef is very important to the agricultural sector and the farming community.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

As the minister responsible, defended the bill in reply, arguing the science is clear that the reef faces threats from climate change and water quality, and that misinformation from the opposition was unhelpful.

“The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on the planet. As science tells us, it is some 500,000 years old. First Nations people have lived alongside the Great Barrier Reef for more than 65,000 years.”— 2019-09-19View Hansard

Strongly opposed the bill, arguing it would stop farming and agriculture along the east coast under the guise of protecting the reef, which he asserted was fine.

“I completely stand against this bill today because I think it is wrong what Labor is doing to Queensland farmers.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Opposed the bill while defending the LNP's environmental record, criticising Labor-Green activists for using the reef to attack farmers and arguing the LNP government had introduced stronger reef protections.

“I love the Great Barrier Reef. I have had the privilege on numerous occasions to visit this exceptional natural wonder... I love it and I am committed to protecting it.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Supported the bill and its committee recommendation that the bill be passed.

“I support this recommendation and I commend the bill to the House.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Opposed the bill on behalf of Bundaberg farmers, arguing the regulations are excessive, unnecessary and fail to guarantee reef benefits, while farmers in his region were blindsided as the Burnett-Mary catchment was previously exempt.

“Labor's reef reforms are excessive, they are unnecessary and they fail to guarantee that the Great Barrier Reef will reap any benefits.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Opposed the bill, criticising Labor for refusing to support previous LNP reef protection laws and for imposing regulations without adequate scientific basis.

“Labor chose to vote against those laws. It was Labor, under Anna Bligh, that planned to supersize the Port of Abbot Point.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Supported the bill while acknowledging First Nations peoples' cultural connection to the reef going back millennia, noting voluntary approaches have failed and regulation is needed to meet water quality targets.

“It is quite clear that, without further regulation, the reef water-quality targets are unlikely to be met.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Opposed the bill, urging all members to join him in voting against it.

“I will not support the bill. I urge everyone in the House to join me in that respect.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Opposed the bill as prioritising politics over policy by debating it in Brisbane rather than Townsville, arguing it gives unaccountable bureaucrats power to ruin farmers' livelihoods without proper parliamentary scrutiny.

“Clearly this bill is trying to achieve politics over policy. One can get no clearer example that this bill is politics over policy than the fact that we are debating it in the CBD of Brisbane rather than on the coastline of Townsville.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Supported the bill, commending it to the House as necessary to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

“I commend the bill to the House.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Supported the bill to address water quality threats to the reef, emphasising the economic importance of the reef to tourism and small businesses, and the government's responsibility as custodians.

“As its custodians, we must protect the reef, and that is what these amendments will do.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Supported the LNP shadow minister's amendments as common sense but could not support the bill itself.

“I support the shadow minister's foreshadowed amendment as it is common sense. As a consequence, I cannot support the bill.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Strongly opposed the bill for imposing excessive penalties on farmers (up to $222,194) and argued both major parties share responsibility for the regulatory burden on Central and North Queensland farmers.

“To put my position straight up, I am strongly opposed to the bill in its present form.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Strongly opposed the bill as detrimental to farming and grazing communities, arguing it should be halted until a federal Senate inquiry into reef science had concluded.

“I will not stand idly by and see our farming and grazing communities vilified as environmental vandals by socialist fake Greens-Labor climate dogma.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Supported the bill as honouring her commitment to young constituents concerned about climate change and the environment, noting the climate crisis is real with devastating impacts across Queensland.

“I am here today to put those words and those values into action because the climate crisis is here. It is real and we are seeing its devastating impacts each and every day right throughout Queensland.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Supported the bill as demonstrating the government's responsibility to the people of Queensland.

“I commend the bill to the House.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Opposed the bill as bad legislation, demanding a repeal in the next parliament within 100 days and calling for a federal audit of reef science.

“In the next parliament the KAP will be demanding a repeal of these laws in 100 days. They are no good and they do not belong here.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Opposed the bill, arguing that farmers had been blindsided by the regulations and that the Labor government was treating regional Queenslanders as second-class citizens.

“Unfortunately, we have become used to a Labor government that rams through laws without listening to the very people upon whom those laws will impact.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Supported the bill, noting his constituents care about reef protection and that the Great Barrier Reef is iconic and needs to be protected.

“The Great Barrier Reef is iconic and it needs to be protected.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Spoke in opposition to the bill, arguing it was not a considered solution and urging members to oppose it.

“I rise to speak in opposition to the Environmental Protection (Great Barrier Reef Protection Measures) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Supported the bill as vital for protecting the reef and the Cairns tourism economy.

“I rise to speak in support of the Environmental Protection (Great Barrier Reef Protection Measures) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Made clear his opposition to the legislation as yet another attack on the agricultural sector.

“From the outset I want to make clear my opposition to this legislation because it is yet another attack on the agricultural sector.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

Supported the bill to protect the reef for current and future generations.

“I commend the bill to the House.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard

As shadow minister, opposed the bill's increased regulation of local government sewage treatment plants, arguing the evidence did not justify the additional costs.

“It is unreasonable to propose to further regulate local government sewage treatment plants to achieve a no net decline outcome while there is insufficient evidence that local government STP impacts overall are significant.”— 2019-09-18View Hansard