27 August 2026. Shane McCarthy, AgForce General President.
AgForce believes the State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) Bill undermines agricultural interests by granting preferential treatment to critical minerals developments and other State Strategic Projects, including renewable energy projects.
From our perspective, it should not be a choice between the development sector and agriculture.
Our State needs both.
We support the growth of the critical minerals sector and recognise the important role it will play in Queensland’s future.
However, we can’t support a framework that shifts a disproportionate share of the costs, risks and impacts onto agricultural landholders.
The powers and processes established under the bill have the potential to affect primary producers through compulsory land acquisition, land access arrangements, infrastructure corridors and changes to existing approval pathways.
It’s essential that farming businesses and private property rights are properly protected from the outset.
AgForce recognises that the government has had compulsory acquisition powers for more than a century but believes that these powers should only be a genuine last resort and for projects that are genuinely in the interests of the State and its constituents, not foreign investors.
Before productive agricultural land is acquired, there must be meaningful negotiations with reasonable alternatives considered and consideration of the impact on farming businesses.
Landholders are already struggling to get sufficient representation for negotiations with multinational corporations that have dedicated legal departments.
The10-business-day window to consider a final offer from the proponent is only possible if landholders have been given access to the information and advice needed to properly assess an offer.
Primary producers should not be expected to bear the financial burden of legal, valuation or financial advice upfront.
The same principle should apply to infrastructure corridors and easements associated with major projects.
Where impacts on farming land can’t be avoided, there should be a clear commitment to minimising and mitigating those impacts, as well as ensuring compensation reflects the long-term consequences for agricultural businesses.
AgForce also wants assurances that efforts to streamline approvals don’t weaken existing protections, particularly those provided under the Regional Planning Interests Act.
Streamlining should remove duplication rather than scrapping safeguards.
We don’t oppose critical minerals development or major projects where the State genuinely benefits but we do need a framework where development and agriculture can coexist.
Queensland's future prosperity depends on both.
Because every family needs a farmer.