Hon Mark Furner MP

This bill overhauls Queensland's fisheries laws to implement the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017-2027. It introduces harvest strategies as the main tool for managing fish stocks, cracks down on the illegal sale of fish (black marketing) with new trafficking offences and stronger inspector powers, and formally recognises charter fishing and traditional fishing as distinct sectors.

This bill makes wide-ranging amendments to laws governing agriculture, animal welfare, biosecurity, forestry, fisheries, racing, and other areas. Most notably, it significantly increases penalties for trespassing on agricultural land and strengthens biosecurity obligations, prompted by a wave of animal activist protests on farms. It also improves protections for animals in hot vehicles, expands farm debt mediation access, and clarifies the Racing Integrity Commission's powers.

This bill makes sweeping changes across Queensland's agriculture, fisheries and animal management laws. It bans dangerous dog breeds, introduces statewide dog control rules with tough penalties including imprisonment, sets up camera and observer monitoring on commercial fishing boats to protect the Great Barrier Reef, strengthens biosecurity emergency powers, and reforms several other agricultural and animal welfare laws.

This bill modernises Queensland's 20-year-old animal welfare laws following a comprehensive review, a racehorse welfare inquiry, and an audit of RSPCA oversight. It introduces tougher penalties for animal neglect, bans harmful devices and practices, requires CCTV at livestock slaughter facilities, strengthens inspector accountability, and creates a new accreditation scheme for cattle procedures.