Qld Declares War on Federal ‘Green Tape’ with Major Economic Inquiry

BRISBANE – The Crisafulli Government has officially triggered a high-stakes investigation into federal environmental regulations, labeling the current legislative framework a “roadblock” to the state’s economic productivity and energy security.

Treasurer David Janetzki announced today that he has directed the Queensland Productivity Commission (QPC) to spearhead an independent, 12-month public inquiry. The probe will scrutinise the 2025 amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC), which the State Government claims are stifling growth across the resources, agriculture, and housing sectors.

A Focus on the Taroom Trough

At the heart of the state’s frustration is the Taroom Trough, a massive resource find touted as Australia’s first major prospective oilfield in 50 years. The State Government has repeatedly called for the project to be included in the Federal Government’s National Interest Fast-Track Assessment Pathway.

The Crisafulli administration argues that streamlining approvals for the Trough is a matter of national fuel security.

“We can’t think of anything more in the national interest right now than producing our own fuel and putting our destiny back in our own hands,” Treasurer Janetzki said.

Probing the “Regulatory Burden”

The QPC inquiry is designed to build a formal “evidence-based” to challenge Canberra. It will specifically examine:

• Economic Impacts: The risk to jobs and overall state growth.
• Compliance Costs: Increased expenses and “bureaucratic red tape” for family farms and small businesses.
• Cost-Shifting: Whether federal changes are unfairly pushing financial burdens onto the state.
• Land Management: The specific consequences for agricultural land values and production.

Treasurer Janetzki stated that after “a decade of decline” under the previous Labor government, Queensland must now fight to protect its industrial interests. “Already, we are hearing from landholders and businesses that these recent changes will slow down project approvals and increase regulation,” he said.

The Path Forward

The inquiry is not just a fact-finding mission; it is a strategic move. The findings will be used to inform Queensland’s stance on bilateral agreements with the Federal Government—agreements that are necessary to fully implement several aspects of the new federal laws.

The Queensland Government has positioned the inquiry as a way to balance environmental outcomes with a “pro-business” agenda. By gathering data over the next year, the state aims to pressure the Federal Government to “come to the table” and offer more efficient approval processes.

Public Consultation The inquiry is set to run for one year, and the QPC will invite submissions and feedback from the public. This gives Queenslanders—from mining executives to primary producers—a platform to voice their concerns regarding the federal oversight of state projects.