Qld: Application of tree clearing rules under fire =2

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-1999
Qld: Application of tree clearing rules under fire =2

A legal expert later questioned the legality of the Premier's plan to assess leasehold
tree clearing applications under the new rules, citing provisions of the Acts Interpretation
Act, the Legislative Standards Act and even the yet-to-be-proclaimed Vegetation Management
Act.

"The normal and usual rule is for things to be dealt with as the law stands at the
time the application is lodged," Queensland University of Technology senior law lecturer
Alistair MacAdam (Alistair MacAdam) told AAP.

"It appears what they're proposing to do is not in fact lawful."

Meanwhile, the QFF has denied they had endorsed the government's tree clearing legislation,
despite sitting at the negotiating table with conservationists before the legislation
was drafted.

The QFF's Mr Armstrong said the organisation planned to meet with farming industry
leaders in the new year to try to resolve the standoff between Mr Beattie and Senator
Hill.

Mr Armstrong met with Senator Hill last week, and was involved in negotiations with
Mr Beattie and conservationists before the tree clearing guidelines were introduced to
parliament.

"We (the farmers) are the meat in the sandwich in these," he said.

"It's very hard for us to say where the funds should come from."

AAP bja/jfs/bdm

KEYWORD: TREES 2 BRISBANE (REOPENS)

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