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Committee's Report

The committee tabled its report of the inquiry on 19 August 2013.

The report is available for download from the following link: Report No. 26, Agriculture and Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill 2013

Government Response and Passage of the Bill in the House

Link: Government's response to Report No. 26 – Agriculture and Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill 2013. Tabled on 10 September 2013 by Hon. John McVeigh MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Link: Agriculture and Forestry Legislation Amendment Act 2013. Passed with no amendments on 10 September 2013.

About The Bill

On 21 May 2013, Hon John McVeigh MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, introduced the Agriculture and Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill 2013.

The Bill was referred to the Agriculture, Resources and Environment Committee in accordance with Standing Order 131.

The committee will examine the policies the Bill seeks to give effect to, the Bill’s lawfulness, and the application of fundamental legislative principles, as set out in section 4 of the Legislative Standards Act 1992.

The committee must report to Parliament on the Bill by 19 August 2013.

The objectives of the Bill are to make a range of amendments to eight Acts within the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio including:

• Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966,
• Agricultural Standards Act 1994,
• Animal Care and Protection Act 2001,
• Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008,
• Forestry Act 1959,
• Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002,
• Rural and Regional Adjustment Act 1994, and
• Veterinary Surgeons Act 1936.

The major amendments being made by the bill are to biosecurity related legislation and particularly to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1936, firstly, to provide for Queensland’s participation in the National Recognition of Veterinary Registration (NRVR) scheme and, secondly, to enhance the state’s biosecurity response capability.

The bill also includes amendments the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 to remove state-wide cat registration requirements and empower local governments to decide whether the costs and benefits of cat registration warrant its continuation in their area. However, state-wide microchipping requirements will be maintained, ensuring that cat reunification outcomes are not affected.

The Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 is also being amended to increase the maximum penalties for animal cruelty offences from 1,000 penalty units or two years imprisonment to 2,000 penalty units or three years imprisonment.

All amendments are detailed in the Explanatory Notes to the Bill and the Minister’s introductory speech.

View: Agriculture and Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
View: Explanatory notes for the Agriculture and Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
View: Explanatory Speech by the Minister

Call for Submissions

Submissions closed on 5 July 2013.

Submissions are now available under the "Submissions" tab at the top of the page.

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