What’s Happening?
AgForce is calling for stronger agricultural safeguards within Queensland’s proposed Critical Minerals Bill.
The organisation supports responsible development of critical minerals and other major projects that deliver genuine benefits for Queensland. Its concerns relate to how the expanded State Strategic Project regime could affect landholders and productive farms.
Both private and public projects meeting statutory criteria could qualify under the proposed framework. AgForce says suitable development should continue, provided commercial negotiations and agricultural protections remain fair.
Why It Matters
AgForce believes negotiations between landowners and project proponents should remain private commercial matters. It says expanded State powers should not change the position of either party during those discussions.
“The issue is the State should not be able to step into what would otherwise be a private commercial negotiation over someone’s land,” AgForce General President Shane McCarthy said.
The organisation accepts that compulsory acquisition may be required for genuine public or State interests. However, it opposes expanding those powers to projects outside that established purpose.
“Compulsory acquisition must remain a genuine last resort for matters of State or Public interest,” McCarthy said. “Existing compulsory acquisition powers should not be expanded in a way that allows them to sit in the background of a negotiation and change the bargaining position of the landowner.”
AgForce says this position supports fair commercial processes without preventing major projects from delivering benefits for Queensland.
“We do not oppose major projects, but we cannot condone circumstances where the State can undermine the commercial negotiation process or override key agricultural protections,” McCarthy said.
Local Impact
Project access can affect the practical operation of farms and grazing properties. AgForce says access should not occur before safety, biosecurity and compensation matters have been addressed.
Without those arrangements, stock movement, cropping, internal roads and water systems could be disrupted. These changes could affect the ongoing operation of agricultural businesses.
“Productive agricultural land is not simply land on a map,” McCarthy said. “It is where families operate their businesses and proper arrangements must be in place for on-farm safety, biosecurity, internal road access, water access and compensation before anything else proceeds.”
AgForce is also asking for professional advice to be funded from the beginning of negotiations. It wants legal, valuation, agronomic and other expert assistance made a statutory entitlement.
The organisation says landholders should not carry these costs while negotiating with parties that have much greater financial resources.
“Farmers and graziers should not be financially disadvantaged just because they are negotiating with well-resourced project proponents or government-backed interests,” McCarthy said.
By The Numbers
- AgForce wants the final unconditional offer period increased from 10 business days to 60 business days.
- Qualifying projects could access four major powers, including land access, enabling works, compulsory acquisition and changes to other legislation.
- Two protected agricultural categories remain part of AgForce’s case, Priority Agricultural Areas and Strategic Cropping Areas.
Zoom In
AgForce says productive agricultural land and agricultural output should be treated as important State interests. It wants food and fibre security recognised alongside resource development.
The organisation also wants current protections for Priority Agricultural Areas and Strategic Cropping Areas retained. It is seeking greater parliamentary scrutiny when other legislation can be modified.
“Queensland should not have to choose between major investment and essential agricultural interests,” McCarthy said. “Agricultural land must not be made less strategically important because of the Bill.”
Zoom Out
The proposed amendments aim to retain room for investment while protecting Queensland’s agricultural capacity. AgForce says this can be achieved through clear rules and good-faith commercial negotiations.
It also argues that productive farmland requires long-term protection because its loss may be permanent.
“Productive farmland is finite,” McCarthy said. “Once fractured or lost, its productive use is gone forever. Practical, fair amendments must be made before this Bill becomes law.”
What To Look For Next?
AgForce is urging farmers, graziers and other landowners to contact their local State MPs before the Bill proceeds. It wants agricultural concerns included in further consideration of the legislation.
The organisation will continue seeking clear arrangements before land access occurs. It also wants professional advice funded and compulsory acquisition maintained as a genuine last resort.
