27 Apr 2016
Last week saw the Environmental Protection (Chain of Responsibility) Amendment Bill passed by the Queensland parliament with bipartisan support.
The Amendment Bill was introduced to give environmental regulators greater powers to pursue companies, entities and individuals who fail to uphold their environmental responsibility. The intent of the bill was to hold those involved with high profile environmental incidents such as Yabulu (Townsville) Nickel Refinery, Texas Silver Mine, and Linc Energy to account.
The Bill introduces new laws to prevent negligent or reckless businesses from leaving Queensland taxpayers with costly environmental clean-up bills and aims to effectively impose a chain of responsibility so that high risk companies and their related parties bear the cost of managing and rehabilitating sites.
Although the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) supported the intent of the Bill there were issues with the wording of certain amendments that would have resulted in unintended consequences for our agriculture sector and regional communities. The wording in subsection 363AB(1)(b) in clause 7 was such that it could have held farmers responsible for the remediation and clean-up of mineral and gas activities occurring on their land.
QFF engaged in the consultation process through attending the public briefings on the 18 March and 5 April, as well as making comment to the Agriculture and Environment Parliamentary Committee and having a meeting with the Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection, Dr. Steven Miles. The Committee and the Minister shared QFF’s concerns and a commitment was made to not allow farmers and landholders’ to become collateral damage in this well intentioned piece of legislation.
The Government agreed and acted upon the common sense recommendation put forward by QFF to amend 363AB(1)(b) in clause 7 removing potential impacts on landholders, farmers and traditional owners. By doing this the Minister and Government ensured that any implications of legislation that could have further and unintended consequences for our agriculture sector and regional communities were addressed.
It has been refreshing to work constructively with Government to achieve this mutually beneficial result. QFFand the agriculture industry are committed to holding to account those who pollute and destroy our environment, however it is important that in the process of doing so we don’t undermine our ability to continue as proper stewards of the land.
QFF commend the Government and Minister Miles for their consultative approach in guaranteeing that there would be no unintended consequences to landholders and farmers from the Environmental Protection (Chain of Responsibility) Amendment Bill. It is also important to note the inclusive and bipartisan role the Opposition played in negotiating a final version of the Bill that delivered upon the initial intent of the legislation.
QFF look forward to working proactively with all levels of government to represent the interests its industry members and the agriculture sector in Queensland.
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