The Queensland Resources Council fully supports the move by the State LNP to crackdown on militant activism and is calling on the Palaszczuk Government to support the two primary industries they are targeting.
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said militant activism had no place in a democratic Queensland and harsher penalties were needed to ensure the resource and farming sectors can get on with the job of creating jobs.
“This Private Members Bill is an opportunity for both sides of government to demonstrate bipartisan support and back community concerns surrounding militant activism where protesters willingly trespass on the land of law abiding citizens and businesses with funding from social media,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“Resources and farming have a long and proud history of working together but the time is now to put a stop to this needless and dangerous militant activism. Parliament must ensure the employees of the State’s two primary industries are protected and the economy is safeguarded against economic vandalism.
“The QRC echoes the calls of a recent campaign from rail operator Aurizon for everyone to obey the law and not to put people’s lives in danger. All Queenslanders have the right to protest, but all Queensland workers also have the right to go to work and come home safely to their families and reckless trespassing with the intention to disrupt other people’s lives is dangerous and extreme.
The LNP is proposing three new criminal offences, Aggravated Trespass, Serious Criminal Trespass and Organised Trespass with fines of up to $391,650 and maximum prison terms of 10 years.
