Qld: Question of clearing compensation still unanswered

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-1999
Qld: Question of clearing compensation still unanswered

BRISBANE, Dec 31 AAP - The Queensland government will use some of the $270 million
windfall from the sale of the QTAB to pay the costs of a compensation package for landowners
affected by new tree-clearing laws.

But while the state has refused to reveal just how much it is prepared to put towards
actual compensation payments, it has continued to call on the federal government to put
up $103.2 million.

Premier Peter Beattie said the state would contribute $111 million over four years
towards the cost of administering the new laws.

He said if the federal government put up its share of compensation, federal Environment
Minister Robert Hill would be able to deliver on his commitment to the Kyoto Conference
on greenhouse gas emissions that Australia would reduce its output.

Although the tree-clearing legislation was pushed through parliament last month, Mr
Beattie has promised not to proclaim the new laws for freehold land until the compensation
package has been finalised with the federal government.

The laws protect endangered and so-called of concern tree species and also preserves
from clearing one-third of the vegetation that covered Queensland when Europeans first
arrived.

A spokesman for Senator Hill said federal ministers were reluctant to fund the Queensland
tree-clearing compensation package because it would set a precedent for other states.

AAP jfs/rds

KEYWORD: CLEARING DAYLEAD

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