Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that the State Government is facilitating the leasing of areas within Queensland National Parks to developers, for the construction and operations of luxury commercial accommodations.

National Parks deserve the highest level of protection available. As defined by the Cardinal Principle, National Park status should provide, to the greatest possible extent, for the permanent preservation of the area's natural condition and the protection of the area's cultural resources and values.

These proposed developments across several sites in Queensland, would necessitate the degradation of intact and endangered habitat. These proposals may well be the thin edge of the wedge providing a precedent for future leases causing irreversible loss of our natural heritage. Only 5.6% of Queensland's land area is National Park, well below the national average.

Your petitioners therefore request the House to revoke that part of section 35 of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 that provides for the establishment of ecotourism facilities in National Parks. In particular, remove the reference to 'ecotourism facility' in section 35 (1)(a) and remove all of section 35 (1)(c).