Harsh vegetation management laws to be enacted by the State Government have united political identities across the spectrum. Protesters marched on the Gordonvale electorate office of State Treasurer Curtis Pitt on Saturday. Speakers at the rowdy rally of 80 farmers, politicians, indigenous representatives and political aspirants, warned the proposed laws would “shut down” agriculture and make criminals out of farmers if they clear regrowth or vegetation on their farms

Pictured above are L to R, Pixie Hughes, Cape York Sustainable Futures; Cr Brett Moller, Cairns Regional Council; One Nation WA candidate, Rod Culleton; State LNP Member for Hinchinbrook Andrew Cripps and Senator-elect Pauline Hanson.
Pictured above are L to R, Pixie Hughes, Cape York Sustainable Futures; Cr Brett Moller, Cairns Regional Council; One Nation WA candidate, Rod Culleton; State LNP Member for Hinchinbrook Andrew Cripps and Senator-elect Pauline Hanson.

Atherton solicitor Anne English on the doorstep of Curtis Pitt’s office told the rally the new laws turned farmers into criminals by reversing the onus of proof and removing the centuries-old ‘mistaken belief’ principle as a defence if trees are cleared.

Atherton solicitor Anne English on the doorstep of Curtis Pitt’s office told the rally the new laws turned farmers into criminals by reversing the onus of proof and removing the centuries-old ‘mistaken belief’ principle as a defence if trees are cleared.

Indigenous protesters Duncan McInnes, Mareeba and Chairman of the Cape York Alliance Rod Burke

Indigenous protesters Duncan McInnes, Mareeba and Chairman of the Cape York Alliance Rod Burke

DSC_9012

                               Protesters march on Treasurer Curtis Pitt’s Gordonvale office