‘Cruel joke’: Fears bill getting closer to giving state govt new powers
Widespread criticism has been triggered by a new bill that could give the state government increased powers.
Concerns are being raised about the State Development and Public Works Organisations (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 winning a recommendation to be passed with no changes.
On Friday, the Queensland parliamentary Primary Industries and Resources Committee made the call despite an open letter objecting to its introduction being delivered on the same day.
If passed, it was expected it would see an expansion of the State Government’s ability to seize land, override community consultation, and change or sidestep other laws to completely fast track projects picked by the Minister for Development and the Coordinator General.
Agricultural, legal, local government and community organisations have raised concerns about the move since it was first introduced to State Parliament in June.
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Protestors again delivered an open letter to Queensland Parliament on Friday, August 7, signed by more than 300 farmers and regional residents and calling for the Bill to be thrown out.
Property Rights Australia (PRA) Chair Dale Stiller said “the way this Bill has been ruthlessly rammed through [parliament] is deeply concerning.”
“Despite significant flaws being identified in multiple submissions, the committee has chosen to recommend that the Bill be passed without a single change,” Stiller said.
He said this Bill’s powers included giving expanded access to private land, compulsory acquisition for privately owned projects, restricted third-party appeal rights and modification orders that can change how exisiting Acts of Parliament apply to individual projects.
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“Property rights should not depend on assurances about how a minister may exercise extraordinary powers. The protections must be written into the legislation,” Stiller said.
PRA sought clear limits on State Strategic Project powers, independent agricultural assessment, full compensation, meaningful landowner consultation, mandatory access and biosecurity safeguards, and preservation of landowner review and appeal rights.
Queensland Conservation Council acting director Anthony Gough called the bill deeply flawed and said it was “a cruel joke” for the committee to recommend it be passed with no notes.
“This Bill gives the Minister of the day far-reaching powers to declare any development a State Significant Project and decide which laws will apply to it and which won’t,” Gough said.
He added that regional communities across the state were alarmed about the impact of this Bill.
Gough pointed to the Cape Flattery Traditional Owners having concerns about silica mining tearing up 1000 hectares of their land and residents in the Gold Coast hinterland concerned about the Springbrook cableway which could impact the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests.
Lock the Gate Queensland Coordinator Maggie Mckeown said it had the potential to see farmers and regional communities locked out in having the ability to scrutinise projects impacting their land, water and livelihoods.
“This government has refused to listen to the concerns of a wide range of stakeholders critical of this Bill, including Property Rights Australia, Agforce, the Queensland Farmers Federation, the Queensland Law Society, Cotton Australia, local government, and conservationists,” Mckeown said.
The Deputy Premier and Minister for Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie were approached for comment.
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