Natural Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019

Did not oppose the bill as a whole but strongly opposed the removal of the foreign landownership report (clauses 36-37), the power to access private land without consent (clause 45), and argued the Commonwealth report is not an adequate replacement for the state report.

“The LNP will always oppose moves to reduce transparency on foreign ownership of Queensland land. We will vote against this proposal to scrap the annual report and scrap its tabling in this parliament.”— 2019-05-15View Hansard

As sponsoring minister, commended the bill as delivering on government commitments across CleanCo, Aboriginal land processes, exploration reform, water compliance and dispute resolution for subleases.

“This bill delivers on several government commitments and ensures regulations within my portfolio remain effective and responsive to the needs of industry and the community.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Strongly opposed the removal of the foreign landownership report and the power to access private land without consent, citing biosecurity concerns for organic farmers and lack of adequate safeguards. Also criticised the sheer size of the omnibus bill.

“Queenslanders do deserve to know who, how much and what types of land are owned by foreign individuals and companies. The LNP will always oppose moves to reduce transparency on foreign landownership in Queensland.”— 2019-05-15View Hansard

As shadow minister, acknowledged sensible reforms in the bill but opposed three key provisions: scrapping the foreign landownership report, allowing state access to private land without consent, and increased ministerial powers over exploration permits.

“There are many sensible and constructive reforms within this bill, but there are also measures that go too far. The LNP finds it frustrating that Labor continues to lump good reform amongst actions of government overreach that we cannot support.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Acknowledged some good measures in the bill and did not oppose it as a whole, but raised concerns about the size of the omnibus bill, potential abuse of new ministerial powers over exploration licences, and the impacts on Aboriginal land tenure on North Stradbroke Island.

“Having raised my concerns about the Labor government's handling of the resources sector, I acknowledge that in this bill there are some good measures and so I will not be opposing the bill as a whole.”— 2019-05-15View Hansard

Spoke in favour as committee chair, defending the bill's provisions on CleanCo, land access, dispute resolution for 24,000 sublease holders, and dismissing LNP concerns about the foreign ownership report.

“This bill does a lot of good work in clarifying and simplifying provisions and creating new ones to keep these important acts updated.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Acknowledged some good elements of the bill but had enormous concerns about the removal of the foreign landownership register and the lack of time for scrutiny of such a large omnibus bill amending 29 acts.

“There are some good things in this bill, but there are some lemons too.”— 2019-05-15View Hansard

As deputy committee chair, supported water compliance amendments but opposed the foreign ownership report removal, land access provisions and ministerial powers, criticising the bill's size and inadequate scrutiny time.

“Such a large omnibus bill made it difficult for both the committee and the research staff to adequately dissect each and every amendment in the reporting time available.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Supported the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land amendments but opposed clauses on foreign landownership, private land access, and ministerial decision-making powers. Heavily criticised the consultation process and size of the omnibus bill.

“There may be other unintended consequences which we have not been able to identify due to time constraints.”— 2019-05-15View Hansard

As a committee member, supported the bill and its various amendments, thanking submitters and highlighting the Queensland Law Society's acknowledgement of the consultation process.

“The Natural Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 delivers on several government commitments and ensures a number of key regulatory frameworks within the Natural Resources, Mines and Energy portfolio remain effective and responsive.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Welcomed gender diversity provisions for water boards but opposed clauses 213-215 which changed the requirement from 'rehabilitation' to 'remediation' of abandoned mines, arguing this lowered the bar for mining companies.

“The state needs to raise the bar with respect to the rehabilitation of abandoned mines, not lower it.”— 2019-05-15View Hansard

As a committee member, acknowledged many aspects that make sense but opposed the foreign ownership report removal, land access without consent, and ministerial powers over exploration permits.

“Queenslanders' legitimate concerns about the foreign ownership of land across Queensland are not restricted to agricultural land. Queenslanders have a justified interest in knowing who owns the land in their state.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Opposed the removal of the foreign landownership report and the power to access private land, citing constituent concerns about foreign ownership transparency and biosecurity risks from weeds.

“One of my fears with regard to removing this provision from state legislation is the potential for misinformation and Chinese whispers around foreign ownership.”— 2019-05-15View Hansard

As a committee member, supported the bill's CleanCo provisions, water board gender equity amendments, and dispute resolution framework, dismissing LNP concerns about land access as confected hysteria.

“Let us be frank, those on the opposite side of the House have a horrific track record on gender equity. It seems that they fundamentally oppose it.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Opposed clauses 36-37 (foreign landownership), clause 45 (private land access), and clause 260 (ministerial powers). Also opposed changes to category 2 water board governance, citing the Glamorgan Vale Water Board in his electorate.

“At its core, this bill is an excellent example of this Labor government's sense of self-entitlement and a complete disregard for transparency.”— 2019-05-15View Hansard

As a committee member, expressed grave concerns about the bill's enormity and opposed three elements: scrapping the foreign ownership report, state access to private land, and expanded ministerial powers.

“The LNP simply does not trust this Labor government not to abuse this power and cancel licences purely for political gain.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Opposed the foreign landownership report removal, private land access provisions, and extended ministerial decision-making powers. Criticised the size of the omnibus bill and limited time for stakeholder scrutiny.

“With 10-minute contributions, members have around 18 seconds per act to contribute. Obviously this means that the legislation brought to the House is under less and less scrutiny.”— 2019-05-15View Hansard

Spoke in support focusing on the Water Act amendments to achieve 50 per cent female representation on government boards, noting the government had reached 48 per cent from 31 per cent in 2015.

“Gender parity on boards will translate to an increase of $87 million in productivity gains for Queensland, without requiring additional workers or hours worked.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Opposed the same three clauses as other LNP members and criticised the omnibus bill approach as an affront to democracy, tabling a Canadian editorial criticising omnibus legislation.

“Trying to sneak controversial measures past Parliament and the public via omnibus legislation is an affront to democracy.”— 2019-05-15View Hansard

Focused on Land Act amendments, raising a specific local issue about state land in Peachester and supporting LNP opposition to parts of the bill.

“I want to confine my comments to those elements of the bill that pertain to the Land Act.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Acknowledged positive components but strongly opposed removal of the foreign landownership report, mandatory gender targets for category 2 water boards, and had concerns about private land access provisions.

“Foreign ownership is a really important issue that impacts much more broadly on the towns and the few cities that exist in rural Queensland, so it is a really important part of government policy.”— 2019-05-15View Hansard

Supported the bill focusing on water compliance provisions and exploration permit reforms, arguing they would protect water resources and encourage mineral exploration for future technologies.

“Water is an absolutely critical resource. We must do everything we can to protect this valuable resource.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Acknowledged elements of the bill the LNP would like to support but found other elements offensive. His speech was cut short by the expiry of debate time.

“There are elements of this bill that we would like to support, and I make that very, very clear. However, there are other elements in this bill that are offensive.”— 2019-05-15View Hansard

Expressed concerns about the massive size of the bill, opposed state access to private land without consent as an attack on property rights, and worried about unintended consequences.

“If a government does not respect property rights, that slowly leads us down the path of socialism and I do not want to see us head down that path.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

As Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, defended all provisions of the bill including CleanCo, the foreign landownership report removal, private land access powers, and ministerial powers for exploration permits. Noted the opposition indicated they would not oppose the bill overall.

“This bill demonstrates the government's continued commitment to ensuring sustainable management of Queensland's important land, water and mineral resources for the future benefit of all Queenslanders.”— 2019-05-15View Hansard

Supported the bill focusing on water compliance and exploration permit reforms, highlighting the importance for the Bowen Basin mining region and new mine approvals.

“Water is an absolutely critical resource. We must do everything we can to protect this valuable resource.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Opposed the three key LNP objections — foreign ownership report removal, land access without consent, and ministerial powers — while supporting other aspects including Indigenous land and surveyors provisions.

“Queenslanders deserve to know who, how much and what types of land are owned by foreign individuals and companies.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Supported the bill, defending the foreign ownership data still being collected, the land access safeguards, and looking forward to CleanCo providing cost savings to constituents.

“It is important to note, however, that this data will still be collected by the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Opposed the foreign ownership report removal, land access provisions and ministerial powers, arguing the government should build trust with landholders rather than undermine property rights.

“This issue is not one of land management; this issue is one around trust, respect and property rights.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Supported the bill, defending omnibus bills by noting the Newman government passed 17 similar bills, and highlighted the practical benefits of dispute resolution and land access provisions.

“One of the issues that came up frequently during that inquiry was concerns and criticisms raised by landholders of state owned lands not being managed properly and appropriately and one of the concerns raised by public servants was that they could not access those lands.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Opposed the three key LNP objections, arguing the bill erodes landholders' rights, reduces transparency, and gives the minister unfettered power over exploration permits.

“Only the LNP will stand up for the rights of landholders and hold this government to account.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Opposed the foreign ownership report removal, land access provisions and ministerial powers, providing detailed examples of biosecurity risks from government officers spreading weeds on private land.

“There is nothing in this bill to meet those considerations.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Supported the bill's CleanCo provisions, gender parity on water boards, Aboriginal land amendments, and land access provisions with safeguards.

“When finally established CleanCo will not only support a cleaner more efficient power supply but also create competition in the market which will ultimately lead to the reduction of power prices for consumers.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Opposed the bill's removal of elections for category 2 water boards, arguing it takes away local democratic voices, citing a packed community meeting in Roadvale that voted unanimously against the changes.

“Labor is cynically using the Water Act to take this community input away from the Roadvale Water Board—using legislation to enforce a system that could see the minister in Brisbane appoint outsiders to the board.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Expressed concerns about delegating ministerial decisions to chief executives and the sensibility of creating CleanCo, but appreciated the 15-year time limit on exploration permits.

“I appreciate the inclusion of the 15-year time limit of exploration permits. For far too long, resources and tenure holders have been getting away with sitting on mineral prospects that should be developed.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Opposed the three key LNP objections, providing historical context for Labor's support of the foreign ownership register in 1988 and arguing the land access provision gives public servants superior rights to police.

“This effectively gives public servants superior rights of entry to police. That does not make sense. This is an attack on the rights of property owners.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Opposed the foreign ownership report removal, increased ministerial powers, and land access provisions, questioning what the government is trying to hide.

“You have to ask: what is the government trying to hide? They have gone to great lengths to collect the data but they do not want to make it available to the people of Queensland.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard

Opposed the foreign ownership report removal, criticising the government as lazy for not producing a five-page annual report and noting the bill's enormous scope made it difficult for stakeholders.

“What a lazy Labor government we have. They could not even be bothered putting together a five-page report once a year about the foreign ownership of land in Queensland and tabling it in this House.”— 2019-05-14View Hansard