Tractors to descend on Parliament House

The friction between farmers and the Forest Protection Authority is heating up with a tractor rally set to descend on Parliament House in Hobart on Thursday, September 10 at 11am.

Led by the Farmers and Landowners Action Group (FLAG) the rally will ramp up awareness of the handing over of a petition with 3000 signatures to the State Government calling for an urgent, independent enquiry into Tasmania's vegetation clearing and land management enforcement framework and fairer penalties and better treatment of farmers including acknowledgement of a farmer's fundamental right to farm their own land.

An initial estimation of about 40 tractors taking part has already swelled far beyond that as word spreads statewide and farmers start committing to trucking their tractors into the city.

Rally points will be set up in surrounding suburbs before travelling en masse into the city centre.

Petition sponsor Carlo Di Falco of the Shooters, Fisher and Farmers Party will formally table the petition.

FLAG founder and Nugent farmer Lindsay White said with a tractor convoy and a protest song on loud speaker, its aim is to increase awareness of the issues farmers face and to send a clear message - “leave us alone”.

The FPA is responsible for administering the Forest Practices Act 1985 and regulating forest practices across Tasmania to ensure any removal of trees supports sustainable environmental outcomes and responsible land management. 

However FLAG is convinced another department would do a better job and be more in tune with farming priorities.

“We are pushing for responsibility to regulate the clearing of farmland to be handed over to the Natural Resources Department,” Mr White said.

“We had a constructive meeting with the Premier Jeremy Rockliff and two senior ministers in Gavin Pearce and Felix Ellis on Friday but we have no intention of leaving this issue alone with so many farmers having come forward telling their horror stories.”

Mr White has been travelling the state, including King Island, interviewing farmers and posting their stories on his Facebook page.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said on social media that farmers needed to be able to go about producing food sustainably while operating under practical regulations.

“I have heard local farmers, like Lindsay, loud and clear,” he said.

“And it’s time to get the balance right.”

The formal consultation follows a review of the Forest Practices Regulations first announced by the Government in May amid growing pressure from farmers and landowners.

Following the meeting on Friday, Business, Industry and Resources minister Felix Ellis launched an online consultation portal to gather direct feedback from farmers, landowners, and forestry groups.

The formal review is a direct concession by the government following the massive public outcry over the $100,000 FPA fine handed to the Fergusson family, and the relentless campaign led by Mr White.

Mr Ellis said he wants to identify what is working well and where immediate practical improvements can be made to ensure the regulations stop "strangling" landowners and remain fit for purpose. 

“We want to hear directly from the people who deal with the system day-to-day about what’s working well and where improvements could be made,” Mr Ellis said.

“Feedback will be considered as it is received, and if there are immediate improvements that can be made, we will take action.”

Consultation will include an online process as well as direct discussions with farmers, forest growers, industry groups, councils and other stakeholders.

The current Forest Practices Regulations 2017 expire on April 27 next year. The Government intends to remake them without major change before then so the existing regulatory framework can continue while consultation and the implications of Commonwealth environmental reforms are considered.

Draft updated regulations are expected to be released for further public comment in the second half of 2027, with final regulations expected before July 1, 2028. Consultation closes on March 31, 2027.

The FPA said it recognises the importance of engaging with stakeholders and the broader community. 

“As part of its commitment to continuous improvement, the Authority regularly reviews its stakeholder engagement processes and welcomes constructive feedback on how consultation and communication can be strengthened,” a spokesperson said.

The FPA encourages all interested community members, stakeholders and industry participants to have their say on the Forest Practices Regulations. 

Public consultation provides an important opportunity for individuals and organisations to contribute their views and help inform the future regulatory framework for forest practices in Tasmania. Feedback can be submitted through the online consultation portal at: https://engage.building.tas.gov.au/forest-practice-regulations