Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2023

Supported amendments for pastoral lease diversification and mandatory payment of local government rates by resource companies, but opposed the Place Names Act amendments, citing concerns about reduced consultation time, cost implications for councils, and potential for divisive name changes. Announced the opposition would oppose clauses amending the Place Names Act.

“The cutting of consultation time for proposed name changes is another example of the Labor government stripping Queenslanders of the right to have their voices heard.”— 2024-04-16View Hansard

As Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals, moved the second reading and outlined the bill's key reforms to state land administration, place naming, and mandating resource companies pay local government rates.

“These amendments will ensure resource companies fulfil their obligations to pay outstanding local government rates and charges.”— 2024-03-21View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill's amendments to the Place Names Act, highlighting the importance of removing offensive and racist placenames such as Black Gin Creek, which was renamed to Dundula. Argued the reforms were necessary to address painful reminders of historical violence against Aboriginal people.

“She shared the painful reminder that the place held for Darumbal people. She was reported to have said that places called 'Black Gin Creek' were areas commonly known to be places where Aboriginal women were raped and murdered by non-Indigenous men.”— 2024-04-16View Hansard

Supported elements such as farm-based tourism diversification and mandatory resource company rates, but strongly opposed the Place Names Act amendments, citing reduced consultation periods and politicisation of the Public Service. Declared he would not support the place names amendments.

“I will not be supporting the amendments relating to place names, and I call on all members to ensure Queenslanders are heard by doing the same.”— 2024-03-21View Hansard

Confined his contribution to the positive aspects of the bill, praising the amendments that resolved tenure issues for the Goora Gan Steiner School at Agnes Water. Thanked the minister and department for working in a bipartisan way to achieve a positive outcome for the school's secure tenure.

“It is a real pleasure to work in a bipartisan way in this place to achieve positive outcomes through legislative reform.”— 2024-04-16View Hansard

As former chair of the Transport and Resources Committee, outlined the bill's key amendments and noted the committee's recommendation that the bill be passed.

“This bill amends a few acts to achieve the desired outcomes, and I will summarise a few of those.”— 2024-03-21View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, highlighting the provision enabling the minister to dedicate reserves for broader purposes, the pathway to freehold conversion for non-Indigenous deeds of grant in trust, and the mandatory payment of local government rates by resource companies.

“If you do not pay your rates, you should not have the authority to mine or have that resource authority in Queensland.”— 2024-04-16View Hansard

As a committee member, raised concerns about the cost impacts of place name changes on local government and businesses, while supporting the resource authority rates amendments as clearly necessary.

“That is clearly unacceptable. For a small shire like Quilpie, with a very poor rate base, that is clearly unacceptable and something needs to happen.”— 2024-03-21View Hansard

Supported appropriate renaming of places with proper consultation and fair rates for resource companies, but criticised the government's lack of consultation and centralisation of control. Raised concerns about sovereign risk from poor process and lack of stakeholder engagement.

“Either we have a functioning democracy or we have a dictatorship. I believe that correct stakeholder engagement, correct processes, genuine consultation over a period and public debate should be held on matters that are important.”— 2024-04-16View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill's objectives to improve regulatory efficiency, reduce red tape in land administration, and mandate payment of local government rates by resource companies.

“We hear time and time again about more cost-effective processes and the removal of red tape. The other side talks about it all the time and here we are making life so much easier.”— 2024-03-21View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, highlighting the benefits of modernising state land management to give trustees more flexibility, the improvements for pastoralists to diversify their leases, and the mandatory payment of local government rates by resource companies.

“If resource companies have not been paying local government rates to the communities they are operating in, this can now be taken into consideration if they make other applications for further mining.”— 2024-04-16View Hansard

Stated the Greens would not oppose the bill but expressed distrust in the government's use of broadened powers to manage public land, citing examples such as the Star casino deal and the Mount Coot-tha zip-line project. Supported the place-naming reforms and mandatory rate payments but called for tripling gas royalties.

“I do not trust in this government, and certainly not those on the opposition benches, to protect and promote the use of public land for purposes that genuinely enrich our local communities and the lives of residents.”— 2024-04-16View Hansard

Supported the bill, highlighting the importance of changing offensive placenames and noting that 15 offensive names had already been changed since 2015. Responded to the member for Callide's concerns about airport signage showing 'Meanjin'.

“It is disturbing that they have remained in place until recently. There can be no argument that those 15 names were offensive. They contained what were, in effect, racial slurs.”— 2024-04-16View Hansard

As Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals, replied to the second reading debate. Defended the bill's amendments across all areas including land management, place naming, and mandatory resource company rate payments. Tabled a list of 41 offensive placenames proposed for change.

“Let me be clear: we are not changing the local government ratings framework. It is necessary for local governments to continue to have autonomy and flexibility to develop their own rating systems.”— 2024-04-16View Hansard