FARMING families across Central and North Queensland are celebrating the federal government’s decision to abandon plans to force graziers off their land to expand military training areas.
AgForce president Grant Maudsley said it was good to see the Federal Government had finally listened and acted on the concerns of local landholders.
“It's disappointing that these farming families had to go through months of unnecessary stress and heartache, but we are pleased the right result was achieved in the end," he said.
Mr Maudsley said the issue highlighted the constant battle farmers faced preserving agricultural land for agricultural use.
"Agricultural land is constantly being taken away from landholders for a variety of reasons such as national park expansions and mining developments, as well as being rendered useless by ill-conceived Government regulations," he said.
"Agriculture and farming are the lifeblood of regional communities, and we need governments to stop allowing good agricultural land to be taken away and we need governments to allow us to manage our land productively."
Mr Maudsley said the backdown on the proposed Defence land grab demonstrated yet again how good outcomes could be achieved when farmers united and stood together against poor Government policy.
"Farmers campaigned hard to defeat the Palaszczuk government's harsh and unnecessary vegetation management laws last year in the Queensland Parliament, and we fought hard to get the Federal Government to retreat on their proposed Defence land grab," he said.
"It shows that politicians can't take rural support for granted. AgForce will continue to stand up for our members to make all politicians understand the need to get behind farmers to grow our businesses, create jobs in the regions and produce more food for a growing global population."
Mr Maudsley’s sentiments were echoed by Cattle Council of Australia chief executive officer Duncan Bremner, who said that once the government had their boots on the ground consulting with landholders, the answer was clear.
“Once the government recognised there had been flaws in the consultation and negotiation process, they listened and understood that the negative impact of the forced acquisitions of productive land outweighed the potential benefits.
“Most importantly though, they acted,” Mr Bremner said.
Mr Bremner said Australian cattle producers and landholders recognise they are one of many cogs in the machine that is the Australian community and economy and would not seek to hinder the growth of the broader economy without due cause.
“And prime agricultural land is one of those examples. Whilst we have a vast country, we must preserve those areas that agricultural practice can manage, sustain, and produce from,” Mr Bremner said.
“As such, Cattle Council will continue to oppose the compulsory acquisition of prime agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes without appropriate consultation, consideration, and negotiation.
Mr Bremner also recognised the diligent and dedicated campaigning AgForce and the National Farmers Federation undertook to bringing the issue to the political forefront.