In a media statement issued this morning, the Palaszczuk Government says it plans to introduce legislation to Parliament in the first quarter of 2016 to reinstate a responsible vegetation management framework for Queensland.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has handed responsibility for new legislation to Deputy Premier Jackie Trad who has long standing links to green groups.

The announcement to crack down on farmers was made as part of the Brisbane People’s Climate March in the inner-city this morning and follows Federal Labor’s new targets for greenhouse gas emissions made yesterday.

Ms Trad said the Statewide Landcover and Trees Study Report 2012–14 released today outlined this alarming clearing and emissions trend.

“I am extremely concerned about what the science is telling us – land clearing and related emissions have increased exponentially under the LNP,” Ms Trad said.  

“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government will introduce legislation early next year to more effectively manage vegetation clearing in Queensland.” 

Ms Trad said she acknowledged that most landholders were doing the right thing, and looking after their land.

“I’m determined that the action we take will achieve a balance between landholders who are doing the right thing and our waterways and eco-systems, and regional and rural communities,” Ms Trad said.

“Landholders have always been able to clear mulga for fodder for livestock, but it’s the other clearing I’m concerned about, particularly other clearing in the Great Barrier Reef catchments.

“If the escalating trend of this other clearing continues, we are increasing carbon emissions and risking land degradation, sedimentation of our waterways, and the Great Barrier Reef.

“Clearing increased from 153,638 hectares in 2011-12 to 296,324 hectares in 2013-14 but what is unforgiveable is the LNP knew about this escalating clearing trend more than a year ago.” 

It is understood the SLAT report was being “shopped around” among selected media to maximise ithe impact of today’s announcement.

Ms Trad said the former LNP Government scrapped the Beattie Government’s nation leading tree clearing laws to phase out broadscale land clearing and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and led to Australia meeting Kyoto emission targets.

However, Ms Trad did not acknowledge the widespread anger that the implementation of the Vegetation Management Act by the both the Beattie and Bligh governments generated among landholders. She also did not acknowledge that the reforms introduced by the former LNP government was widely supported by landholders.

Environment Minister Steven Miles said the government had been listening to landholders, conservation groups, local government and communities across the state on this issue since the election.

Farm group AgForce president Grant Maudsley responded to the Palaszczuk Government's attack on farmers outside the Parliamentary Annexe, on Alice Street Brisbane at lunchtime today.