A CAPE York traditional owner has challenged the Federal Government to come clean on why it has intervened on land clearing permits in far north Queensland.
The Federal Government has its sights on at least six properties – possibly up to nine – where the former state LNP Government had approved tree clearing.
Jack Wilkie-Jans, a traditional owner and deputy chair of Cape York Sustainable Futures, criticised the move and accused the Federal Government of playing politics with the livelihoods of farmers in order to appease the Greens Senate bloc.
"What's worrying is the Minister for Environment has actually defended the move and the LNP is, but for a few displays of outrage by a mere few, remained silent,” Mr Wilkie-Jans said.
“Furthermore I think the Minister for Environment and the Cabinet need to come clean as to the reasoning behind this back-flip in policy as I suspect it's a pay off to secure the support of the Greens bloc in the Senate.”
Mr Wilkie-Jans said under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act the Minister for Environment Josh Frydenberg and his department overruled State Government jurisdiction in a never before use of Commonwealth power.
“This comes at the same time that the Queensland Parliament defeated the Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) and Other Legislation Bill which would have seen primary producers in the regional areas suffer under stricter land use laws,” he said.
Mr Wilkie-Jans said he was dismayed that the Federal Government did not listen to their constituents in the bush and appear to have disregarded their major campaign promise to support growth in regional and northern Australia.
"The Government have given no indication as to if and when they will lift their intervention on clearing nor have they answered glaring questions as to what was behind the decision and what, if any, further steps they intend to take," Mr Wilkie-Jans said.
