Land management and asset security

Suspension of further listings of threatened species under the Act until clear consultation and administration arrangements are in place would be a positive step.

The National Farmers’ Federation has been seeking support from the major political parties in a number of areas and, following election campaign commitments from the major political parties, will be progressing the property rights issue early in the new year.

We now have an explicit undertaking from the Commonwealth that adequate compensation will be paid if landholders’ ability to farm their land is removed or reduced by Commonwealth legislation such as the EPBC Act.

The Government has also agreed to a significant strengthening of COAG processes in regard to environmental management—to ensure better coordination of State/Commonwealth land management and environment protection legislation, improve consultation processes and address the issue of compensation.

We are also seeking an agreement by all governments to institute an incentive-driven, not legislation driven, approach to environmental management.

NFF has also called for an explicit acknowledgment of the economic and social implications that can result from listings under the EPBC Act and improved community consultation processes. In particular, NFF requires a specific implementation plan from the Commonwealth Government that explains how they will act once species or areas are listed as threatened.

Research and development support and a commitment to meet the adjustment costs of introducing new and more sustainable farm management practices are also vital ingredients of the most effective land management strategy.

We have also sought a commitment that there be no further listings until consistent State and Commonwealth administrative arrangements are in place.

Australia also needs to review water reform under the COAG agreements. Only secure water property rights, which are tradeable, will ensure that water resources are used sustainably, for the benefit of all Australians, in the long term. Inefficient and inappropriate land and water use has created problems of national significance such as rising salinity and falling water quality.

In recognition of the seriousness of this issue, the National Farmers’ Federation established a special Water Taskforce in May this year. That taskforce has just finalised its report, which states that: "It is the National Farmers’ Federation’s view that the Council of Australian Governments’ water reform agreements have not been implemented to deliver on promised water property rights".

It also found that there are six fundamental characteristics of a water property right:

DURATION – a continuous period measured in years that the property right is held;