Natural Disasters
Mr PERRETT (Gympie—LNP) (3.13 pm): I rise to speak to the motion. Floods and bushfires not
only bring devastation but also bring out the very best in our communities. They are a natural part of
living in our state. I acknowledge the words of this motion, which sums up our thoughts and sentiments.
Coming from a regional area which has seen its fair share of natural disasters, I know the devastating
impact on communities. The extent of the damage from these natural events is mind boggling. Our
valuable agricultural industries were hit hard. After already struggling from years of relentless drought,
more than 500,000 head of cattle have perished in the north-west floods, with stock losses estimated
at 50 to 100 per cent per farm. At a minimum, graziers have lost an estimated $500 million in stock.
Travelling with Minister Furner to Mount Isa, Julia Creek, Richmond, Winton, Cloncurry and Nelia
two weeks ago, I saw it firsthand. We talked to local authorities, bankers, community leaders, graziers
and small business owners. I am still talking to local mayors. I thank the police officer and army officer
who took me to Nelia to observe from the air and watch the operations of feeding starving livestock.
Hardened and tough locals from generations of farming families had tears in their eyes recounting
the devastation. It was confronting. They endured years of drought only to find everything washed away.
They do not deserve the cruel and vindictive vilification they are receiving from animal welfare activists,
who are deliberately blind to the care that farmers have for their stock. It is hard trying to segment the
issues they face—firstly dealing with thousands of dead stock around the homesteads, the yards and
water points, then months of work to repair and replace thousands of kilometres of fencing to contain
what stock is left and then restocking.
After the 2011 and 2013 floods I chaired a local disaster management group. I know that some
producers are still struggling. It will take many years after these disasters to repair, rebuild and restock.
Other farmers, canegrowers and horticultural farmers who also suffered losses have had crops
destroyed in floods and bushfires. More than 800 hectares of sugar cane was burned in the Pioneer
Valley and Blue Mountain areas near Mackay and Carmila near Sarina.
I also know about the tragic loss from bushfires. In the Woolooga bushfire north-west of Gympie
we saw 500 head lost and millions of dollars gone in property including sheds, fences, equipment,
livestock and fodder. Locals continually raise with me their serious concerns about land management
practices to control their fuel loads, the management of our national parks and what landholders can
do to protect their properties. I acknowledge all those who have suffered and served to protect
Queenslanders. I stand ready to continue to support them.