A THIRD debate about changes to the Native Vegetation Act was held in state parliament on Friday that saw Liberal, Nationals and Labor MPs vote together to defeat a motion that would have compensated farmers.

The Minister for the Environment and Minister for Heritage, Robyn Parker, said the government was conducting a review of the regulations of the Native Vegetation Act, which it had brought forward.

“However much as I sympathise with farmers who have been impacted by the native vegetation policy merry-go-round, as environment Minister I do not support exposing this government to open-ended compensation payments for the failings of the former government,” Ms Parker said.

Speaking against the motion for the Opposition Carmel Tebbut said the law had been successful and farmers had been compensated.

“The then Labor Government recognised that some landholders may be significantly affected by the code and other changes to the native vegetation laws. For this reason the Government set aside $37 million for a Native Vegetation Assistance Package to help landholders deal with the changes,” Ms Tebbutt said.

“Grants of up to $80,000 per property were made available to help landholders develop sustainable farming or forestry activities, or to assist in generating other income from the land.

“Up to 50 per cent of total project costs were funded,” she said.

Member for Northern Tablelands, Richard Torbay, had introduced the motion and said it was third time unlucky for farmers.

“Farmers now know where they stand; but I would guess the vote would be different if some choice piece of Sydney real estate was being appropriated for environmental purposes,” Mr Torbay said.

“This is what has been sought not only by me but also by NSW farmers after extensive consultation processes over the past 16 years. It is not good enough for the government to say that it will examine the issue in the future or review the regulations, which it has to do in any case and will achieve nothing.

“The farmers of NSW have every reason to be concerned that government members talked big and tough on this issue when they were in opposition but in government they have echoed Labor’s view, as the debate has shown,” Mr Torbay said.

© 2011 Inverell Times

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