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Legal body slams 'backward' land clearing laws
The Queensland Law Society says amendments must be made to the state government’s proposed land clearing laws, saying they currently invite a “recipe for chaos”.
Emma Musgrave
QLS president Bill Potts said the Palaszczuk Labor government’s planned changes to its Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016, introduced by Deputy Premier Jackie Trad, are “unjustified and a step backward for justice in the state”.
“That is akin to a person coming home to find a dead body in their backyard and being considered guilty of murder until they can prove themselves innocent,” he said.
“Our state’s natural beauty is one of its greatest assets, and it is our view that it can be protected without tramping the rights of citizens.
“It isn’t too late for the government to properly consult with all stakeholders and come up with just and workable laws. Rushing them through as they are now is a recipe for chaos.”
Earlier this year, Mr Potts raised the QLS’ concerns on proposed tree-clearing laws to the Parliamentary Agriculture and Environment Committee in Brisbane.
At the time, Mr Potts described the proposed changes as “unjust and comparable to the Newman LNP government’s stance on anti-bikie laws.”
“The government’s justification for these changes is, quite frankly, feeble and appears based on administrative convenience,” he said.
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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