The Member for Gregory, Lachlan Millar, has won a partial concession from the State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee to extend the deadline for submissions to their inquiry on the Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018.
Responding to Mr Millar on Tuesday night, a committee statement said it appreciated it was complex legislation and “members are sensitive to the difficult conditions in which many landholders are operating”.
“Accordingly, the committee has agreed to grant extensions of up to two weeks on an individual basis where requested.
“In addition, the committee will be taking a flexible approach to its consideration of any submissions that may be received after the submissions deadline has passed.”
Mr Millar said he was disappointed the committee couldn’t fulfill his original request for a blanket extension for all stakeholder submissions, “to ensure the legislation receives the proper scrutiny”.
He said it would have considerable and immediate impacts for farmers and graziers right across the state.
“It defies logic why the Palaszczuk government is hell-bent on rushing this legislation through,” he said.
“I believe we have a strong committee system, however such a short timeframe for written submissions undermines the ability of our hardworking farmers and graziers to have their say.”
Stakeholders in need of an individual extension should apply as soon as possible, Mr Millar said, by emailing sdnraidc@parliament.qld.gov.au.