Category: Media Releases

Media

QUEENSLAND APPOINTS FIRST WORK HEALTH SAFETY PROSECUTOR

Kalagro

Queensland appoints first Work Health Safety Prosecutor

The Government has announced the appointment of Aaron Guilfoyle as Queensland’s first independent Work Health and Safety Prosecutor.
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said Mr Guilfoyle would lead a new independent statutory office focused on workplace health and safety and electrical safety prosecutions.
“Mr Guilfoyle as the former Assistant Director for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) has extensive experience in high-profile and complex regulatory prosecutions,” Ms Grace said.
“He is eminently qualified to become Queensland’s first Work Health and Safety Prosecutor and to provide expert workplace health and safety legal advice to government.”
Ms Grace said the new statutory office and the appointment of a Work Health and Safety Prosecutor delivered on a key recommendation of a best practice review of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
“The best practice review followed the Dreamworld tragedy and two workplace deaths in 2016 at Eagle Farm racecourse, which shocked and saddened us all,” Ms Grace said.
“We’ve put in place a stronger framework to deliver an independent and robust workplace prosecution system that Queenslanders can have confidence in.
“The appointment of Mr Guilfoyle coincides with tougher, best practice safety requirements for Queensland amusement rides and theme parks from May.”
Mr Guilfoyle has been appointed to a five-year term.
Further information
For more information on the Best practice review of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, visit worksafe.qld.gov.au

Farmers silenced in Reef Regulations consultation – QFF

Kalagro

Farmers silenced in Reef regulations ‘consultation’

The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has questioned the Queensland Government’s ability to represent all Queenslanders after it cancelled public hearings on the new reef catchment regulations in the regions the legislation will impact.

Despite being silenced in the consultation process, the Environmental Protection (Great Barrier Reef Protection Measures) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 will see a greater regulatory burden placed on Queensland’s farmers while not guaranteeing any benefits for the Great Barrier Reef.

QFF President Stuart Armitage said farmers in the reef catchments affected by these changes had a right to be heard and the Queensland Government had a duty to listen.

“The Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee will only hold one public hearing in Brisbane next week, but this Bill applies to people in coastal regions almost the entire length of the state,” Mr Armitage said.

“QFF acknowledges the Office of the Great Barrier Reef undertook an extended consultation process through the Agricultural Stakeholder Advisory Group, but some of the more concerning elements of the proposed regulations were included after this process.”

“Moreover, the issues raised by agricultural stakeholders have not been reflected in the Bill, so many have seen this process as a ‘presentation exercise’ rather than a consultation process.”

“Clearly, the Committee would benefit from regional hearings to engage directly with those people the proposed regulations will affect.”

Mr Armitage said the situation brought into question whether the basic mechanics of our Parliamentary process were fit for purpose.

“The committees are our ‘house of review’. They must be able to genuinely review legislation and put forward informed recommendations to improve law making in the interests of all Queenslanders,” Mr Armitage said.

ENDS
Media Contact:
Kayla Plunkett – 0448 000 692

ONLINE QFF STATEMENT read more

QFF Welcomes funding for Reef projects

Kalagro

QFF welcomes funding for Reef projects

The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) will partner with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation to deliver two new water quality projects that will support the efforts of farmers and others working with the agricultural sector to safeguard the future of the Reef.

The Reef Alliance Phase Two Project will see industry and NRM groups work with farmers to improve their land management practices. While the Early Career Extension Project will place up to 8 emerging extension officers with organisations that provide agricultural advisory services across the reef catchments to build professional capacity.

QFF President Stuart Armitage, on behalf of all delivery partners across the two projects, welcomed the Foundation’s investment in farmers and agricultural extension officers and their work to improve the quality of water entering Great Barrier Reef.

“Over the next year, Reef Alliance members Burnett Mary Regional Group, CANEGROWERS, Fitzroy Basin Association, NQ Dry Tropics and Terrain NRM, will work with farmers to adopt best management practices that will minimise runoff from farms,” Mr Armitage said.

“Skilled extension professionals will assist farmers increase their uptake of adaptive farm management practices to reduce soil loss, fertiliser application and pesticide runoff.”

“These important environmental stewardship actions will make improvements to the quality of the water leaving the farm and significantly contribute to the health of the Great Barrier Reef.”

“QFF looks forward to working constructively with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, members of the Reef Alliance and the local community to deliver outcomes to improve water quality for the Reef.”

The Reef Alliance Phase Two Project and the Early Career extension officers Project are funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

ENDS
Media Contact:
Kayla Plunkett – 0448 000 692

ONLINE QFF STATEMENT read more