❓ Hon. Christine Sharp questions the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries regarding public statements on land clearing regulations and potential acceleration of land clearing rates. The Minister confirms his statements and provides information suggesting no significant increase in unlawful clearing.
AnsweredQoN 888Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
LAND CLEARING, MINISTER’S PUBLIC STATEMENTS
(1) Can the minister confirm that he has stated publicly that once the 90-day notice period required under regulation 4 of the Soil and Land Conservation Regulations 1992 expires, there is no satisfactory means under existing administrative arrangements that will prevent someone clearing the land included in the notice? (2) If so, does the minister have any objective information that indicates an acceleration in the rate of land clearing for agricultural purposes since those statements were published? (3) Can the minister provide information that shows comparatively that from September 2001, the rate at which land is being cleared for agricultural purposes has accelerated? (4) If not, can the minister provide information to show that the rate has not accelerated? (5) Will the minister table the information, if any? Hon KIM CHANCE
(1) Can the minister confirm that he has stated publicly that once the 90-day notice period required under regulation 4 of the Soil and Land Conservation Regulations 1992 expires, there is no satisfactory means under existing administrative arrangements that will prevent someone clearing the land included in the notice? (2) If so, does the minister have any objective information that indicates an acceleration in the rate of land clearing for agricultural purposes since those statements were published? (3) Can the minister provide information that shows comparatively that from September 2001, the rate at which land is being cleared for agricultural purposes has accelerated? (4) If not, can the minister provide information to show that the rate has not accelerated? (5) Will the minister table the information, if any? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
(1) Yes. When the commissioner has not issued a soil conservation notice to prevent clearing on land degradation grounds, there is no satisfactory means to prevent clearing after the 90-day period has elapsed, when a proposal is undergoing further assessment. (2)-(5) Although the commissioner is investigating a number of complaints alleging clearing, the commissioner has advised me that there is only one case in which land has been cleared in the circumstances set out in part (1) of the question, subsequent to the publication of my statement. The reason I made those statements is that this is an open and accountable Government. First, the Government feels that people who have reason to believe that the capacity of the law to control land clearing is inadequate - I believe it is and I have been saying so for many years - need to know the facts. There has been a blurring of the facts on this matter for years. Secondly, on the matter of equity and justice, it seems clear that as a result of the administrative arrangements that were in place at the time we took government, people effectively were being lied to. I told them the truth. Nobody has ever said that anything I said in those statements on land clearing is incorrect. Indeed, it seems to have legal support. On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
(2) If so, does the minister have any objective information that indicates an acceleration in the rate of land clearing for agricultural purposes since those statements were published? (3) Can the minister provide information that shows comparatively that from September 2001, the rate at which land is being cleared for agricultural purposes has accelerated? (4) If not, can the minister provide information to show that the rate has not accelerated? (5) Will the minister table the information, if any? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) Yes. When the commissioner has not issued a soil conservation notice to prevent clearing on land degradation grounds, there is no satisfactory means to prevent clearing after the 90-day period has elapsed, when a proposal is undergoing further assessment. (2)-(5) Although the commissioner is investigating a number of complaints alleging clearing, the commissioner has advised me that there is only one case in which land has been cleared in the circumstances set out in part (1) of the question, subsequent to the publication of my statement. The reason I made those statements is that this is an open and accountable Government. First, the Government feels that people who have reason to believe that the capacity of the law to control land clearing is inadequate - I believe it is and I have been saying so for many years - need to know the facts. There has been a blurring of the facts on this matter for years. Secondly, on the matter of equity and justice, it seems clear that as a result of the administrative arrangements that were in place at the time we took government, people effectively were being lied to. I told them the truth. Nobody has ever said that anything I said in those statements on land clearing is incorrect. Indeed, it seems to have legal support. On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
(3) Can the minister provide information that shows comparatively that from September 2001, the rate at which land is being cleared for agricultural purposes has accelerated? (4) If not, can the minister provide information to show that the rate has not accelerated? (5) Will the minister table the information, if any? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) Yes. When the commissioner has not issued a soil conservation notice to prevent clearing on land degradation grounds, there is no satisfactory means to prevent clearing after the 90-day period has elapsed, when a proposal is undergoing further assessment. (2)-(5) Although the commissioner is investigating a number of complaints alleging clearing, the commissioner has advised me that there is only one case in which land has been cleared in the circumstances set out in part (1) of the question, subsequent to the publication of my statement. The reason I made those statements is that this is an open and accountable Government. First, the Government feels that people who have reason to believe that the capacity of the law to control land clearing is inadequate - I believe it is and I have been saying so for many years - need to know the facts. There has been a blurring of the facts on this matter for years. Secondly, on the matter of equity and justice, it seems clear that as a result of the administrative arrangements that were in place at the time we took government, people effectively were being lied to. I told them the truth. Nobody has ever said that anything I said in those statements on land clearing is incorrect. Indeed, it seems to have legal support. On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
(4) If not, can the minister provide information to show that the rate has not accelerated? (5) Will the minister table the information, if any? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) Yes. When the commissioner has not issued a soil conservation notice to prevent clearing on land degradation grounds, there is no satisfactory means to prevent clearing after the 90-day period has elapsed, when a proposal is undergoing further assessment. (2)-(5) Although the commissioner is investigating a number of complaints alleging clearing, the commissioner has advised me that there is only one case in which land has been cleared in the circumstances set out in part (1) of the question, subsequent to the publication of my statement. The reason I made those statements is that this is an open and accountable Government. First, the Government feels that people who have reason to believe that the capacity of the law to control land clearing is inadequate - I believe it is and I have been saying so for many years - need to know the facts. There has been a blurring of the facts on this matter for years. Secondly, on the matter of equity and justice, it seems clear that as a result of the administrative arrangements that were in place at the time we took government, people effectively were being lied to. I told them the truth. Nobody has ever said that anything I said in those statements on land clearing is incorrect. Indeed, it seems to have legal support. On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
(5) Will the minister table the information, if any? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) Yes. When the commissioner has not issued a soil conservation notice to prevent clearing on land degradation grounds, there is no satisfactory means to prevent clearing after the 90-day period has elapsed, when a proposal is undergoing further assessment. (2)-(5) Although the commissioner is investigating a number of complaints alleging clearing, the commissioner has advised me that there is only one case in which land has been cleared in the circumstances set out in part (1) of the question, subsequent to the publication of my statement. The reason I made those statements is that this is an open and accountable Government. First, the Government feels that people who have reason to believe that the capacity of the law to control land clearing is inadequate - I believe it is and I have been saying so for many years - need to know the facts. There has been a blurring of the facts on this matter for years. Secondly, on the matter of equity and justice, it seems clear that as a result of the administrative arrangements that were in place at the time we took government, people effectively were being lied to. I told them the truth. Nobody has ever said that anything I said in those statements on land clearing is incorrect. Indeed, it seems to have legal support. On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) Yes. When the commissioner has not issued a soil conservation notice to prevent clearing on land degradation grounds, there is no satisfactory means to prevent clearing after the 90-day period has elapsed, when a proposal is undergoing further assessment. (2)-(5) Although the commissioner is investigating a number of complaints alleging clearing, the commissioner has advised me that there is only one case in which land has been cleared in the circumstances set out in part (1) of the question, subsequent to the publication of my statement. The reason I made those statements is that this is an open and accountable Government. First, the Government feels that people who have reason to believe that the capacity of the law to control land clearing is inadequate - I believe it is and I have been saying so for many years - need to know the facts. There has been a blurring of the facts on this matter for years. Secondly, on the matter of equity and justice, it seems clear that as a result of the administrative arrangements that were in place at the time we took government, people effectively were being lied to. I told them the truth. Nobody has ever said that anything I said in those statements on land clearing is incorrect. Indeed, it seems to have legal support. On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
(1) Yes. When the commissioner has not issued a soil conservation notice to prevent clearing on land degradation grounds, there is no satisfactory means to prevent clearing after the 90-day period has elapsed, when a proposal is undergoing further assessment. (2)-(5) Although the commissioner is investigating a number of complaints alleging clearing, the commissioner has advised me that there is only one case in which land has been cleared in the circumstances set out in part (1) of the question, subsequent to the publication of my statement. The reason I made those statements is that this is an open and accountable Government. First, the Government feels that people who have reason to believe that the capacity of the law to control land clearing is inadequate - I believe it is and I have been saying so for many years - need to know the facts. There has been a blurring of the facts on this matter for years. Secondly, on the matter of equity and justice, it seems clear that as a result of the administrative arrangements that were in place at the time we took government, people effectively were being lied to. I told them the truth. Nobody has ever said that anything I said in those statements on land clearing is incorrect. Indeed, it seems to have legal support. On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
(2)-(5) Although the commissioner is investigating a number of complaints alleging clearing, the commissioner has advised me that there is only one case in which land has been cleared in the circumstances set out in part (1) of the question, subsequent to the publication of my statement. The reason I made those statements is that this is an open and accountable Government. First, the Government feels that people who have reason to believe that the capacity of the law to control land clearing is inadequate - I believe it is and I have been saying so for many years - need to know the facts. There has been a blurring of the facts on this matter for years. Secondly, on the matter of equity and justice, it seems clear that as a result of the administrative arrangements that were in place at the time we took government, people effectively were being lied to. I told them the truth. Nobody has ever said that anything I said in those statements on land clearing is incorrect. Indeed, it seems to have legal support. On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
(2) If so, does the minister have any objective information that indicates an acceleration in the rate of land clearing for agricultural purposes since those statements were published? (3) Can the minister provide information that shows comparatively that from September 2001, the rate at which land is being cleared for agricultural purposes has accelerated? (4) If not, can the minister provide information to show that the rate has not accelerated? (5) Will the minister table the information, if any? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) Yes. When the commissioner has not issued a soil conservation notice to prevent clearing on land degradation grounds, there is no satisfactory means to prevent clearing after the 90-day period has elapsed, when a proposal is undergoing further assessment. (2)-(5) Although the commissioner is investigating a number of complaints alleging clearing, the commissioner has advised me that there is only one case in which land has been cleared in the circumstances set out in part (1) of the question, subsequent to the publication of my statement. The reason I made those statements is that this is an open and accountable Government. First, the Government feels that people who have reason to believe that the capacity of the law to control land clearing is inadequate - I believe it is and I have been saying so for many years - need to know the facts. There has been a blurring of the facts on this matter for years. Secondly, on the matter of equity and justice, it seems clear that as a result of the administrative arrangements that were in place at the time we took government, people effectively were being lied to. I told them the truth. Nobody has ever said that anything I said in those statements on land clearing is incorrect. Indeed, it seems to have legal support. On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
(3) Can the minister provide information that shows comparatively that from September 2001, the rate at which land is being cleared for agricultural purposes has accelerated? (4) If not, can the minister provide information to show that the rate has not accelerated? (5) Will the minister table the information, if any? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) Yes. When the commissioner has not issued a soil conservation notice to prevent clearing on land degradation grounds, there is no satisfactory means to prevent clearing after the 90-day period has elapsed, when a proposal is undergoing further assessment. (2)-(5) Although the commissioner is investigating a number of complaints alleging clearing, the commissioner has advised me that there is only one case in which land has been cleared in the circumstances set out in part (1) of the question, subsequent to the publication of my statement. The reason I made those statements is that this is an open and accountable Government. First, the Government feels that people who have reason to believe that the capacity of the law to control land clearing is inadequate - I believe it is and I have been saying so for many years - need to know the facts. There has been a blurring of the facts on this matter for years. Secondly, on the matter of equity and justice, it seems clear that as a result of the administrative arrangements that were in place at the time we took government, people effectively were being lied to. I told them the truth. Nobody has ever said that anything I said in those statements on land clearing is incorrect. Indeed, it seems to have legal support. On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
(4) If not, can the minister provide information to show that the rate has not accelerated? (5) Will the minister table the information, if any? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) Yes. When the commissioner has not issued a soil conservation notice to prevent clearing on land degradation grounds, there is no satisfactory means to prevent clearing after the 90-day period has elapsed, when a proposal is undergoing further assessment. (2)-(5) Although the commissioner is investigating a number of complaints alleging clearing, the commissioner has advised me that there is only one case in which land has been cleared in the circumstances set out in part (1) of the question, subsequent to the publication of my statement. The reason I made those statements is that this is an open and accountable Government. First, the Government feels that people who have reason to believe that the capacity of the law to control land clearing is inadequate - I believe it is and I have been saying so for many years - need to know the facts. There has been a blurring of the facts on this matter for years. Secondly, on the matter of equity and justice, it seems clear that as a result of the administrative arrangements that were in place at the time we took government, people effectively were being lied to. I told them the truth. Nobody has ever said that anything I said in those statements on land clearing is incorrect. Indeed, it seems to have legal support. On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
(5) Will the minister table the information, if any? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) Yes. When the commissioner has not issued a soil conservation notice to prevent clearing on land degradation grounds, there is no satisfactory means to prevent clearing after the 90-day period has elapsed, when a proposal is undergoing further assessment. (2)-(5) Although the commissioner is investigating a number of complaints alleging clearing, the commissioner has advised me that there is only one case in which land has been cleared in the circumstances set out in part (1) of the question, subsequent to the publication of my statement. The reason I made those statements is that this is an open and accountable Government. First, the Government feels that people who have reason to believe that the capacity of the law to control land clearing is inadequate - I believe it is and I have been saying so for many years - need to know the facts. There has been a blurring of the facts on this matter for years. Secondly, on the matter of equity and justice, it seems clear that as a result of the administrative arrangements that were in place at the time we took government, people effectively were being lied to. I told them the truth. Nobody has ever said that anything I said in those statements on land clearing is incorrect. Indeed, it seems to have legal support. On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) Yes. When the commissioner has not issued a soil conservation notice to prevent clearing on land degradation grounds, there is no satisfactory means to prevent clearing after the 90-day period has elapsed, when a proposal is undergoing further assessment. (2)-(5) Although the commissioner is investigating a number of complaints alleging clearing, the commissioner has advised me that there is only one case in which land has been cleared in the circumstances set out in part (1) of the question, subsequent to the publication of my statement. The reason I made those statements is that this is an open and accountable Government. First, the Government feels that people who have reason to believe that the capacity of the law to control land clearing is inadequate - I believe it is and I have been saying so for many years - need to know the facts. There has been a blurring of the facts on this matter for years. Secondly, on the matter of equity and justice, it seems clear that as a result of the administrative arrangements that were in place at the time we took government, people effectively were being lied to. I told them the truth. Nobody has ever said that anything I said in those statements on land clearing is incorrect. Indeed, it seems to have legal support. On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
(1) Yes. When the commissioner has not issued a soil conservation notice to prevent clearing on land degradation grounds, there is no satisfactory means to prevent clearing after the 90-day period has elapsed, when a proposal is undergoing further assessment. (2)-(5) Although the commissioner is investigating a number of complaints alleging clearing, the commissioner has advised me that there is only one case in which land has been cleared in the circumstances set out in part (1) of the question, subsequent to the publication of my statement. The reason I made those statements is that this is an open and accountable Government. First, the Government feels that people who have reason to believe that the capacity of the law to control land clearing is inadequate - I believe it is and I have been saying so for many years - need to know the facts. There has been a blurring of the facts on this matter for years. Secondly, on the matter of equity and justice, it seems clear that as a result of the administrative arrangements that were in place at the time we took government, people effectively were being lied to. I told them the truth. Nobody has ever said that anything I said in those statements on land clearing is incorrect. Indeed, it seems to have legal support. On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
(2)-(5) Although the commissioner is investigating a number of complaints alleging clearing, the commissioner has advised me that there is only one case in which land has been cleared in the circumstances set out in part (1) of the question, subsequent to the publication of my statement. The reason I made those statements is that this is an open and accountable Government. First, the Government feels that people who have reason to believe that the capacity of the law to control land clearing is inadequate - I believe it is and I have been saying so for many years - need to know the facts. There has been a blurring of the facts on this matter for years. Secondly, on the matter of equity and justice, it seems clear that as a result of the administrative arrangements that were in place at the time we took government, people effectively were being lied to. I told them the truth. Nobody has ever said that anything I said in those statements on land clearing is incorrect. Indeed, it seems to have legal support. On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
On the second issue relating to the land clearing that is alleged to have occurred unlawfully since I made those statements, this answer clearly illustrates that farmers are not irresponsible and that having this knowledge did not lead them to act in any way that is endangering our natural heritage.
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