Barnaby calls on State Government to relax tree clearing laws

Mr Joyce was in Marlborough today to speak to landholders affected by the federal government’s proposed compulsory land acquisitions to expand the Shoalwater Bay defence training capacity. 

Held at Lawson and Linda Geddes’ property, Couti-Outi, about 30 landholders gathered for the four hour session. 

Mr Joyce said he “absolutely does not” support compulsory land acquisitions, and said less land could be required if the government was able to thin trees on the current training land. 

“We would like the state government to assist in this by relaxing their vegetation managements laws on tree clearing at Shoalwater Bay,” Mr Joyce said. 

“It’s a lot to do with space and the space we need.

“The Prime Minister has stated that he doesn’t believe in compulsory acquisitions, and I for my part don’t agree with them either.”

A similar situation to the Marlborough one is occurring in Charters Towers, and Mr Joyce said he hoped to visit the town, but said without “crying into his own beer”, he was simply short on time. 

“It’s not a case of you don’t go because you’re sitting at home with your feet up, I want to get up there as soon as possible, and I will do it as soon as I can get the space in the diary,” he said.