BIODIVERSITY reform is heading into stormy seas – and government needs a firm hand on the wheel to steady the ship.
Before, battle lines on native vegetation laws ran on traditional grounds: conservationists, The Greens and Labor stood one side, The Nationals and farmers on the other.
Lukewarm support among city Liberal MPs was never a great surprise, given they’ve been the main target of green attacks to derail the reforms.
But this week you can add a new concern to the list: Will the Coalition be spooked by the farm lobby breaking ranks?
Key stakeholder NSW Farmers made a very public withdrawal of their support, stating it would not back the draft reform in its current state (“Native veg reform bombshell”, p5 this week).
Whether this is a wise move remains to be seen, given the announcement played into the gleeful hands of conservationists, who used it to launch a fresh attack.
But there’s no question that NSW Farmers’ decision to pull its support is a tangible manifestation of mistrust in government.
Government’s ability to instill fairness when it creates new powers for government officers to carry out compliance and inspection on private land is under scrutiny
Speculation over the role of landholder body Local Land Services – and the level of funding it would need to be effective – is also of concern.
By far the biggest breeder of doubt is the absence of satellite property mapping, information that will be key to implementing proposed clearing codes.
Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair has his work cut out for him to find a balance that works for producers.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Robert Brown – whose party is likely to have a key role in the final vote – said he’ll act on NSW Farmers advice.
Given this week’s events, that support is very much in question.
Landholders want government to implement the full 43 independent Biodiversity Review recommendations, which it promised to do in 2015 when it struck a deal with NSW Farmers to deliver native veg reforms.
We have the assurance of the review panel (see letters below) that government hasn’t misinterpreted their recommendations and now, the government must stick to its guns.
It is doggedly pursuing unpopular council amalgamations – it must apply the same resolve here.
