The Queensland farm lobby claims the state government’s own inquiry has proved its severely restrictive land clearing laws worsened last year’s tragic bushfires.

AgForce chief executive Michael Guerin says a review by the Inspector-General of Emergency Management found the “overly bureaucratic, restrictive and confusing nature” of the Vegetation Management Act had “hamstrung” landowners in both preventing and managing bushfires, recommending that they be overhauled.

Mr Guerin said the IGEM’s finding that the VMA exacerbated the fires that destroyed over 520,000 hectares of farmland and national park, killing thousands of wild animals and livestock, was “shocking but not surprising”.

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