Funding Restrictions for Projects Affecting High-Productivity Agricultural Land
Prime Agricultural Land Protection Bill 2026
Private Member's Bill1st House
2nd House
Law
Introduced by: Alison Penfold (NAT)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Commonwealth cannot fund projects that lower the farming productivity of Tier 1 land; it cannot fund projects that let foreign corporations control Tier 1 land
The Commonwealth cannot fund projects that let foreign governments or state-owned corporations control Tier 2 land
Funding for projects that lower Tier 2 land productivity is banned unless the entity promises to restore productivity; it must also create agricultural land offsets within 25km
Entities that lower Tier 2 land productivity must provide a refundable bond to ensure restoration
The Commonwealth cannot fund projects that force farmers off Tier 2 or 3 land unless the entity provides relocation assistance
Project proponents must publish a social licence report on community consultation and local benefits for projects affecting Tier 2 or 3 land
The Agriculture Commissioner must disclose any conflicts of interest in writing; failure to do so can lead to firing
The Commonwealth must pay reasonable compensation if it acquires property
Topics
agricultural land community consultation farming productivity food security foreign ownership land rights