Funding Restrictions for Projects Affecting Tier 1 and Tier 2 Agricultural Land
Prime Agricultural Land Protection Bill 2026 (No. 2)
Opposition BillSenate
House of Representatives
Assent
Topics
agricultural land community consultation farming productivity foreign ownership land rights property compensation
Introduced by: Senator Matthew Canavan (NAT)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Commonwealth cannot fund entities if it reduces 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 own or control Tier 2 land.
The Commonwealth cannot fund projects that reduce Tier 2 land productivity unless the entity promises to restore the land or provide offsets within 25 kilometres.
Entities that reduce Tier 2 land productivity must give the Commonwealth a refundable bond to secure restoration plans.
The Commonwealth cannot fund projects that force a farmer to leave their primary home unless the entity provides relocation assistance.
Project proponents must publish a social licence report on community benefits and consultation before the Commonwealth considers funding for Tier 2 land projects.
The Commonwealth cannot provide funding for Tier 2 land projects until a social licence report is published and validated by the Agriculture Commissioner.
The Commonwealth must pay reasonable compensation if it acquires a person's property.