Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022

Supported the bill extending beekeeping in national parks for 20 years, while criticising the government for delays in acting on its election commitment. Emphasised the economic importance of beekeeping for pollination and food production.

“People who run businesses need lead-in times. Those who have worked in business know that planning and financial commitments are made long in advance. Without guarantees there is no security to invest and the alternative is to close, move or find alternative work.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill's 20-year extension for beekeeping in national parks, but argued an LNP amendment for perpetual access would be even better, citing the vital role of bees in pollination worth $2 billion annually to Queensland.

“In the absence of scientific research to the contrary, they do not pose any more of a threat than feral bees already do in our national parks; therefore, this legislation should be supported.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

As Minister for the Environment, moved the second reading and defended the 20-year extension for beekeeping in national parks as fulfilling a government election commitment while balancing conservation and industry needs.

“The 20-year extension seeks to strike a balance between the opposing views expressed in the submissions that the State Development and Regional Industries Committee received in relation to the extension of beekeeping in national parks.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supported the 20-year extension as reasonable and rejected the opposition's call for access in perpetuity. Highlighted the economic value of beekeeping and promoted local honey businesses in her electorate.

“I do not agree with the opposition's view as outlined in its statement of reservation that the end date of 2044 should be scrapped and licensed beekeepers should be able to access national parks in perpetuity. A 20-year extension is entirely reasonable and recognises that environments and industries change over time.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as a hobby beekeeper, emphasising the importance of beekeeping sites for healthy hives and the economic value of pollination services to agriculture.

“The government recognises that the loss of access to national park sites post December 2024 would have a negative impact on the supply of products and services provided by beekeepers.”— 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, arguing beekeepers deserve long-term certainty and there is no evidence of environmental harm.

“Until this changes, until evidence is produced showing there is an unmanageable and detrimental impact on our national parks and the precious ecosystems they contain, we should not penalise beekeepers and our wider horticultural industries.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supported the extension but expressed hope that the House would support the LNP amendment to remove the 20-year time limit and allow beekeeping in national parks indefinitely.

“It is my hope that the House will support that amendment when it is moved later.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the bill but criticised the government for years of procrastination and failing to find alternative apiary sites. Urged support for the LNP amendment to remove the end date entirely.

“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

As committee chair, supported the bill and the 20-year extension as common sense, but opposed the LNP amendment for perpetuity, arguing it clashes with the cardinal principle of national parks and has broad and unknown implications.

“I want people to understand that if that amendment is passed it would open up national parks in perpetuity forever. That does clash with the cardinal principle of national parks; that is, nature conservation.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supported the bill as a sensible and managed way forward that balances conservation concerns with the economic importance of the beekeeping industry. Highlighted government support for small beekeeping businesses.

“I think the majority of people would agree that the proposal in this bill to extend the arrangement for 20 years gives ample time for those matters to be considered and, as the committee recommended, that the time be used well to make sure apiaries are developed in alternative locations outside national parks.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the 20-year extension but opposed the LNP's perpetual access amendment, arguing that rapid environmental changes from climate action mean governments need flexibility rather than being locked into perpetual agreements.

“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 a committee member but strongly advocated for the LNP amendment for perpetual access, drawing on his site inspection experience to highlight the importance of diverse apiary sites and the industry's role in maintaining national park access tracks.

“I want to stress again the importance of the amendment to keep these sites in perpetuity, like what has happened in Victoria. The Victorian government has worked closely with their beekeepers to be able to see those sites kept in perpetuity.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supported the bill as a beekeeper himself, emphasising the vital role of beekeepers in horticulture and as additional eyes and ears in national parks. Backed the LNP amendment for access in perpetuity.

“Twenty years may sound like a long time, but the amendment allowing beekeepers to access national parks in perpetuity has a lot of merit in terms of giving operators like Graeme Armstrong the certainty that they need going forward of long-term accessibility to national parks.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the bill and the LNP amendment for perpetual access, noting no conclusive evidence of negative impacts of honey bees on native flora and fauna, and arguing Queensland should align with New South Wales and Victoria which have no time limit.

“By legislating a deadline, there is still an expectation that one day the government will remove their ability to access national parks. I urge the government to support our amendment.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill and detailed the committee's findings on the importance of beekeeping to horticulture, including the almond and macadamia industries' dependence on pollination. Did not support the LNP amendment.

“The current arrangements are due to expire on 31 December 2024; however, the government is providing industry with greater certainty by extending these arrangements for 20 years, to 31 December 2044.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supported the bill as the former environment minister, emphasising the need to balance economic and environmental outcomes. Acknowledged the Queensland Beekeepers' Association's advocacy and their work with traditional owners.

“Passage of this bill will deliver on our government's commitment to grant a 20-year extension to allow beekeeping on national parks until 31 December 2044 in areas where beekeeping was an existing use prior to the transfer of land to national park.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the 20-year extension as a precautionary approach, noting the Department of Transport and Main Roads already permits beehives on state controlled road corridors and is participating in an interagency working group to find alternative sites.

“While I support the relocation of European honey beehives outside of national parks and protected areas, I am also aware that the beekeeping industry provides cross-pollination services and produces honey and other honey bee related products.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill and the 20-year extension but argued it should be in perpetuity. Criticised the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for not being forthcoming about the economic impacts of losing apiary access.

“I would say thanks to the government for the 20-year extension. That is a good move. We have to be appreciative that it is there. I would also agree that it should be in perpetuity, of course, but it is not all tears; we have 20 years left.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supported the bill but argued for the amendment to remove the sunset clause, citing that national parks converted from state forests do not meet cardinal principles and that there is no evidence honey bees cause harm.

“I think it is disingenuous to wring our hands over a matter such as honey bees, which have a very important economic contribution to make to our state, when the national parks with which I am familiar are brimful of weeds, pests and so forth and are a nuisance to their neighbours.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the bill and the LNP amendment for perpetual access, citing the beekeeping industry's $2.8 billion economic contribution and the challenge posed by the varroa mite in New South Wales.

“Beekeepers want certainty for future generations to take up beekeeping. The government's deadline of 20 years does not provide this certainty, because there is still the expectation that one day the government may remove their ability to access national parks.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill and emphasised its importance to the Wide Bay horticultural region, citing the Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers' submission on the dependence of local crops on bee pollination services.

“The humble honey bee actually pumps billions and billions of dollars into Queensland's economy each and every single year.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supported the bill and highlighted the threat of varroa mite to the beekeeping industry. Also supported the bill's new offences for impersonation of forest officers and rangers in national parks.

“I believe that the changes the Palaszczuk government is introducing in this bill are measured and necessary. They apply a bit of commonsense in confronting a threat to our bee industry and enhancing the usability and management of our greatest natural resource, our environment.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the bill, highlighting both the beekeeping extension and the new offences for impersonating rangers. Noted achacha honey from North Queensland as an example of unique products enabled by beekeeping access.

“The extension to allow beekeeping on specified national parks to continue until 31 December 2044 is an excellent and important outcome, as I have been a big supporter of beekeepers for many years.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill but strongly backed the LNP amendment for perpetual access, arguing the government had 20 years to find alternative sites and failed, and that beekeepers need certainty rather than another temporary extension.

“I do not want to see these people back here again in 20 years fighting exactly the same fight over and over again. Let us give them this in perpetuity.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supported the bill, providing detailed explanation of the importance of bee pollination for avocado, macadamia and other crops. Agreed with the LNP amendment for access in perpetuity.

“Twenty years really is not a long time when it comes to keeping the bee population healthy so it is very important that we allow access in perpetuity.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Opposed the bill on the grounds that commercial beekeeping is inconsistent with the cardinal principle of national park management. Argued the government had 20 years to find alternative sites and failed, and that the bill lacks a transition plan.

“Public land is for public enjoyment, not for the use of commercial operators and corporations. National parks are supposed to be managed for permanent preservation, not for commercial ventures.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill and the 20-year extension, highlighting the government's record investment in national parks and acknowledging that beekeeping plays an important role while being inconsistent with national park management principles.

“It does appear that providing an extension of up to 20 years to existing arrangements for beekeeping to occur on particular national parks is appropriate.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supported the bill as finding the right balance between protecting livelihoods and the natural environment. Criticised the former LNP government for cutting ranger positions and delaying progress on alternative apiary sites.

“This interim measure is not only necessary but what has been arrived at is sensible and fair. It recognises that the loss of access to national parks sites in 2024 without an alternative, effective framework would have an impact on supply and the livelihoods of many small businesses.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the bill, noting Queensland beekeepers maintain every third mouthful of food needs honey bee pollination and highlighting the Corinda State High School apiary program in her electorate.

“We must make sure that the sector has a strong future for the next 20 years. That is why I certainly will be supporting the bill and I commend it to the House.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill and strongly backed the LNP amendment, noting that a government-commissioned scientific review found negligible environmental impact from beekeeping in national parks and that beekeepers have searched every possible site in Queensland.

“I fear—and no doubt the industry does too—that we will be having this same debate from about 2035 onwards about the future of beekeepers on state owned land. I say there should be no question about it: the beekeepers should stay.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

As minister, defended the 20-year extension as a sensible balance between conservation and industry support. Rejected the LNP amendment for indefinite access and criticised opposition members for disrespecting QPWS rangers.

“The passage of this bill will deliver on the commitment we made at the election to the beekeeping industry to grant a 20-year extension for beekeeping in national parks.”— 2022-10-12View Hansard

Supported the bill and the LNP perpetuity amendment, arguing the expanding horticultural industry needs pollination certainty and that beekeepers provide valuable voluntary surveillance in national parks.

“I think it would be a tragedy if we do not allow a balance so beekeepers can plan their businesses. Twenty years will be upon us before we know it.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill and the 20-year extension as an election commitment delivered by Labor, noting the importance of beekeeping to horticulture while acknowledging its inconsistency with national park management principles.

“At its core, the bill proposes to provide a 20-year extension to allow beekeeping on specified national parks to continue until 31 December.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supported the bill, detailing the 20-year extension, the new ranger impersonation offences, and the consolidation of administrative provisions into the Nature Conservation Act.

“The government has committed to this extension to provide the beekeeping industry with certainty of access for the near future. Twenty years is a long time into the future.”— 2022-09-01View Hansard

Supported the bill but strongly advocated for removing the time limit entirely, arguing that another 20-year deadline just starts another cycle of doubt for beekeepers and that Queensland would be the only state with a sunset clause.

“Commercial beekeepers deserve certainty. They do not want another deadline, because regardless of the fact it will not end for 20 years, it just starts another cycle of doubt, worry and frustration.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supported the bill but opposed the LNP's perpetuity amendment, arguing a clear time frame would ensure the department collects the scientific research needed for future decision-making. Called for urgent completion of outstanding national park management plan reviews.

“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 and the 20-year extension, highlighting the importance of protecting Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service officers through new impersonation offences. Did not support the LNP amendment.

“The purpose of this bill is to provide the Queensland Beekeepers' Association a 20-year extension to allow beekeeping on national parks to continue in areas where beekeeping had an existing use prior to the transfer of the state forest land to national park.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supported the bill as striking the right balance between food security and national park conservation, noting the decline in honey bee numbers and the importance of national parks as refuges from pesticides.

“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 LNP amendment for perpetual access, arguing all businesses need certainty and that there is no evidence beekeeping has a negative impact on national parks flora or fauna.

“I cannot for the life of me see how the government can say that this is good for 20 years but it is not good for any longer than that. One argument counters the other.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard

Supported the bill as a sensible compromise between industry and the environment, noting the committee's recommendations for clear guidelines and a strategy to find alternative sites.

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

As Agriculture Minister, supported the bill as delivering on the government's 2020 election commitment, emphasising the critical role of beekeeping in supporting Queensland's $23.5 billion agriculture sector through pollination services.

“Certainly government members know that when you make an election commitment you deliver on it. The Palaszczuk government is delivering on our election commitment.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard