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Committee's report

The committee tabled its report on 8 October 2019. The government's response to the committee's report was tabled on 5 February 2020. The Bill was passed with amendments by the Queensland Parliament on 6 February 2020.

About the Bill

On 22 August 2019, Hon Mark Furner, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, introduced the Agriculture and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019.  On 22 August 2019 the Committee of the Legislative Assembly resolved that the State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee will examine and report on the Agriculture and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 by 8 October 2019. 

The Bill is an ‘omnibus’ Bill which amends the following Acts to addresses a number of impediments in the agriculture; animal management and welfare; forestry; and fisheries sectors:

• Animal Care and Protection Act 2001
• Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008
• Biosecurity Act 2014
• Biosecurity Regulation 2016
• Chemical Usage (Agricultural and Veterinary) Control Act 1988
• Drugs Misuse Act 1986
• Exhibited Animals Act 2015
• Farm Business Debt Mediation Act 2017
• Fisheries Act 1994
• Food Production (Safety) Act 2000
• Forestry Act 1959
• Forestry Regulation 2015
• Nature Conservation Act 1992
• Racing Act 2002
• Rural and Regional Adjustment Act 1994
• State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2014
• Summary Offences Act 2005
• Veterinary Surgeons Act 1936

According to the explanatory notes, the purpose of this Bill is to:

• address the risks posed by certain protest actions by increasing jail terms and fines for creating a biosecurity risk
• amend biosecurity zones in a timely manner
• clarify the duty of care in regard to animals in hot vehicles
• empower animal welfare inspectors to enter premises without a warrant to help abandoned animals
• facilitate investigation of animal welfare offences through the sharing of motor vehicle registration information
• increase the supply of transfer of ownership forms by suppliers of dogs
• authorise the use of body-worn cameras
• expand access to farm business debt mediation
• remove wild stock and abandoned vehicles from State forest
• classify threatened species under the Nature Conservation Act 1992
• clarify the responsibilities of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission
• improve traceability of goats

Timeline