Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022

Supports the extension for beekeepers but criticises the Labor government for taking too long to act and for not finding alternative sites as promised. Calls on government to work closely with the industry.

“Finally Labor is keeping its election commitment and extending access for commercial beekeepers to national parks for another 20 years.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill's 20-year extension for beekeeping in national parks, but urged support for the LNP amendment to allow beekeeping in perpetuity.

“If it passes with the amendment moved by the shadow minister it will be a great day.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

As Minister, moved the second reading, commending the bill for delivering the government's election commitment to extend beekeeping in national parks for 20 years while acknowledging the need to work on alternative sites.

“The proposed 20-year extension will provide such access until 31 December 2044. During this time the government will undertake further work to assist in transitioning beekeeping out of national parks.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supports the 20-year extension as a reasonable balance between economic outcomes for the beekeeping industry and environmental protection of national parks.

“A 20-year extension is entirely reasonable and recognises that environments and industries change over time.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Welcomed the bill but criticised the government for taking five years to act on the election commitment, and supported the LNP amendment for perpetual access.

“To give certainty and security to the industry, the LNP will move a simple amendment to remove clause 25 section 36A(6) to allow beekeeping to continue in national parks in perpetuity.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill but foreshadowed an amendment to remove the 20-year time limit and allow beekeeping in national parks in perpetuity, citing the critical importance of apiary sites to agriculture.

“Beekeeping Australia has said their businesses would not be viable without the use of national parks.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supports the extension but hopes the House will support the LNP amendment to remove the 20-year limit entirely and allow access in perpetuity.

“My hope, however, is that the House will support the member for Bonney's amendment, which proposes that, rather than impose an extension of just 20 years, there be no limit to the extension.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the bill but opposed the LNP perpetual access amendment, arguing that locking into perpetual agreements would be unwise given rapid environmental changes and climate action.

“It is my view that, given the current environmental changes we face, signing up to perpetual, or ongoing, access would be completely unwise.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill as committee chair, commending the 20-year extension for beekeeping in national parks.

“The bill will deliver on the Palaszczuk government's 2020 election promise.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supports the bill as a sensible and managed way forward, acknowledging the honey bee industry's contribution of $3 billion to the state economy and 20,000 jobs.

“I think any reasonable person would consider that 20 years is a generous amount of time to do that.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the bill and the LNP amendment for perpetual beekeeping access, sharing examples of local beekeepers who need access during drought.

“When we have a drought out in the west, there needs to be somewhere for primary producers who are beekeepers to take their bees so they can actually survive.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill and the amendment for perpetual access, emphasising the importance of beekeeping to agriculture.

“Beekeeping contributes approximately $2.4 billion to the Queensland economy each year.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

As a beekeeper himself, supports access to national parks but will support the shadow minister's amendment for perpetual access to give operators long-term certainty.

“Beekeepers want certainty for future generations. As I have said, I will be supporting the shadow minister's amendment.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the bill for extending beekeeping access, emphasising the critical importance of bees for pollination and food production.

“Honey bee pollination provides over $2 billion in economic value for Queensland, $14 billion nationally.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the 20-year extension for beekeeping in national parks.

“The bill strikes a balance between the opposing views.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

As former environment minister, supports the bill as striking the right balance between economic and environmental outcomes, providing certainty to the beekeeping industry while protecting national parks.

“I am very pleased to see the certainty provided to the Queensland beekeeping industry as part of the amendments to this bill.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the 20-year extension, highlighting the importance of bees for agriculture and pollination.

“Without their pollinating powers, we have no food.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill and the perpetual access amendment, emphasising the importance of beekeeping to agriculture.

“Without access to national parks there will be nowhere for beekeepers to make sure the nutritional needs of their bees are met.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supports beekeepers' access to national parks and urges support for the LNP amendment to allow access in perpetuity, noting the vital importance of pollination services to agriculture.

“I urge this House to do all that it can to assist the industry in the great work that it does not just in producing honey as a food and employing people in electorates like mine but also in acting as a very important part of the agricultural process with pollination services.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as a hobby beekeeper, explaining the importance of good forage sites for healthy hives.

“It is important to check your hives for any parasites, and if your hive is doing very well and becomes overcrowded, it may be time to consider splitting the hive.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill for extending beekeeping access while preserving national parks.

“The 20-year extension seeks to strike a balance.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supports the bill's 20-year extension to protect the beekeeping industry, particularly given the threat from varroa mite, and also supports new offences for impersonation of rangers.

“The changes the Palaszczuk government is introducing in this bill are measured and necessary.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the bill's extension of beekeeping access in national parks.

“Beekeeping annually contributes an estimated $2.4 billion to the Queensland economy.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill and the perpetual access amendment.

“Victoria and New South Wales have no time limit on their provisions for beekeeping in national parks.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supports the extension for beekeepers due to the vital role bees play in pollination for horticulture, but agrees with the shadow minister's amendment to remove the end date.

“I agree with the shadow minister for the environment, the member for Bonney, who talked about allowing beekeepers to access national parks in perpetuity.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the 20-year extension but not the perpetual access amendment, calling for scientific data collection over the extension period to guide future decisions.

“A clear time frame will ensure that the department secures the research needed to give surety to our pollinators.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill's 20-year extension for beekeeping.

“The bill appropriately recognises the vital measures to protect our environment.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supports the bill as striking the right balance between economic and environmental outcomes, acknowledging it as a sensible interim measure while work continues to find alternative sites.

“This interim measure is not only necessary but what has been arrived at is sensible and fair.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the bill after speaking with local beekeeper Neville Bradford, emphasising the balance between supporting the bee industry and protecting native fauna.

“I do believe this bill strikes the important balance between making sure we have a really stable, resilient honey bee and food security future moving forward while also recognising that we do have a very important and vital national parks and native fauna that we have to protect.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill and the perpetual access amendment, emphasising the economic value of beekeeping.

“Beekeeping contributes approximately $2.4 billion to the Queensland economy.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

As Minister for the Environment, commended the bill to the House as delivering on the election commitment to grant a 20-year extension for beekeeping in national parks, rejecting the opposition's amendment for indefinite access.

“The passage of this bill will deliver on our commitment to enact what we think is a sensible 20-year extension to beekeeping on national parks.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as a sensible compromise between industry and environmental interests.

“This is a sensible compromise between industry and the environment.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill for extending beekeeping access in national parks.

“Healthy bees means healthy people.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supported the bill and the perpetual access amendment, emphasising the importance to agriculture.

“All business needs certainty.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supported the bill but opposed the amendment for perpetual access, noting the need to balance beekeeping with national park conservation.

“Beekeeping in national parks is inconsistent with the cardinal principles of preserving the natural condition of these lands.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supported the bill with the amendment for perpetual access, emphasising the importance of beekeeping to food production.

“Any business needs certainty. The LNP as a party has always supported those in the agriculture and horticulture industries.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

As Agriculture Minister, supported the bill for delivering the government's election commitment and recognising the critical role of beekeeping in agriculture.

“The Palaszczuk government is delivering on our election commitment. If you want to make changes in this House, firstly you need to put forward a commitment and not just make a statement.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard