I must admit to having little in-depth knowledge of this topic, so I find the article interesting and plausible.

However, having been a long-time student of environmental campaigns against forestry (ie. harvesting and regrowing forests ... rather than tree/vegetation clearing for agriculture as this article is about), I have developed considerable scepticism about the veracity of public utterances by environmental campaigners.

For example, in relation to the EPBC Act, the ENGOs invariably say that forestry is exempt from its provisions, when in fact State forestry authorities have developed a hierarchy of planning and operational regulatory mechanisms that have been deemed to fit with the requirements of the EPBC Act and therefore obviates the need to apply for permission under the Act for every operation.

This sort of subtle background context is routinely ignored by ENGOs pursuing an agenda, and so I am loathe to accept what they say at face value. My gut feel tells me that there are probably legitimate and sensible reasons why land clearing rules have been relaxed in NSW and QLD, rather than it being a blatant attempt to kill as much wildlife as possible (as is implied by this article). However, I don't know the answers and I sincerely hope that someone who does have an in-depth knowledge from the opposite (ie Government/farming) perspective posts a response to this article.

The only weak laws that fail or have ever failed our wildlife are weak law that lock up land, for wildlife only! And then left to manage themselves against the forces of nature. And feral infestation.

And as witnessed, include fuel build up and wild fires that roared up valleys. Faster the thundering steaming express trains which they sounded like, as they roared up funnels of fire.

Spared no life in their path as millions of hectares were scorched to the ground along with most of the wildlife! Some of it seriously threatened.

These seriously intellectually challenged folk are mostly concerned about re-clearing and acceptable native forestry management, ON PRIVATE LAND!

What do they want the rest of Queensland turned into never ever managed national parks that exclude horses motor bike and 4X4's?

And have become breeding grounds for many feral species including lantana, rubber vine, pigs, goats, deer, camels, donkeys, horses and wild dogs.

This is the same mob who managed Fraser, by first removing the brumbies then turning their guns on the last vestiges of purebred Asian wolves, which were left to starve as the subsequent consequence!

As are native birds in parks where once visitors were allowed to hand feed them and their populations were allowed to breed up and become tame?

What was wrong with that? And the millions of cashed up tourists who visited just for that experience/interaction!

At no time have I ever head any one of these ecofascists lament the suicide rate among farmers, which reached four farmers a week during the height of the last drought/mulga clearing!
Alan B.

Oh God! It must be grant time again.

I thought we had just had this debate, but WWF must be after more of our money to use to destroy our agricultural industries.

"Leading zoologists recently estimated that 34 million individual Australian mammals, birds and reptiles died annually as a result of tree clearing in Queensland from 2013-2015. This estimate has now been updated to 45 million animals killed in 2015-16" says Martin, sounding just like the bleating of the marine biologists in Townsville, when they want more money, to play with coral in their fish tanks.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if some, yes just some, went out & got a real job.

The greatest threat to biodiversity in Australia is woody thickening. 85% of mammals that disappeared in NSW lived in the western division where there wasn't any logging or clearing. They disappeared because after aboriginal burning was disrupted, the grasses, herbs and seeds that they relied on were choked out by scrub. Read Firestick Ecology: fairdinkum science in plain English.

I live near some National Parks that are breeding grounds for feral dogs, foxes, deer, pigs and noxious weeds.

Farmers whose lands border these parks can be prosecuted for failure to control these weeds but those responsible for the source of the infestations are immune from prosecution.
There is also no recompense for farmers whose stock are preyed upon by the National Park Ferals.

These parks are also long-term environmental hazards because of the build-up of fuel for the inevitable bushfires.

Well that's it then....get rid of the parks
one law for all or no law for any!