GET THE CRITICAL MINERALS BILL RIGHT BEFORE IT BECOMES LAW
The Critical Minerals Bill goes further than many Queensland landowners realise.
AgForce supports responsible development, investment and a strong critical minerals sector.
But the Critical Minerals Bill 2026 is not limited to critical minerals. It creates a broader State Strategic Project regime that can apply to private as well as public projects, with significant powers relating to land access and compulsory acquisition. AgForce believes Queensland can support major development without weakening the rights of the people who already own, work and invest in the land. Don’t fast-track away landowner rights.
Why AgForce is concerned
The issue is not that the Bill removes negotiation.
The issue is what happens to the balance of that negotiation when a landowner knows that, if an agreement cannot ultimately be reached, compulsory acquisition may become available.
For many projects, a landowner and project proponent would ordinarily negotiate commercially over access to or acquisition of private land.
AgForce believes compulsory acquisition should not become the backdrop to that negotiation.
AgForce’s position is clear.
The Bill goes beyond critical minerals
The proposed State Strategic Project regime can apply more broadly than critical minerals and can include private as well as public projects. That brings significant powers relating to land access and compulsory acquisition into circumstances many Queensland landowners may not realise are covered by this Bill.
Compulsory acquisition must be a genuine last resort
Landowners should be able to negotiate freely and fairly. Compulsory acquisition should only be considered after genuine commercial negotiations have been exhausted, not sit in the background while those negotiations are taking place.
Landowners need fair protections throughout the process
Landowners need sufficient time, appropriate independent professional advice and confidence that the impact on their property and farming operation will be properly considered. That includes productive agricultural land, water, fencing, stock, crops, access, biosecurity, safety and the long-term viability of the farming business.
What AgForce wants changed
AgForce is seeking practical changes that provide stronger protections for Queensland landowners.
Genuine negotiation
The negotiation period must involve
genuine, good-faith commercial
negotiation rather than simply
allowing time to pass.
Compulsory acquisition as
the last resort
Compulsory acquisition should
only occur after every reasonable
opportunity to reach a commercial
agreement has been exhausted.
Professional advice from the
beginning
Landowners should not be financially
disadvantaged because they
need legal, valuation, agronomic,
accounting or other professional
advice to negotiate with a major
project proponent.
More time to consider a final
offer
Complex decisions affecting land and
farming businesses require proper
consideration. AgForce is seeking
a longer period for landowners to
assess a final unconditional offer.
Farming operations
protected before access
occurs
Before access or works occur, there
should be appropriate arrangements
covering compensation, biosecurity,
water, fencing, livestock, crops, farm
access, safety and rehabilitation.
Compulsory acquisition as
the last resort
A project being declared strategically
important should not make the
productive agricultural land in its path
any less important.
Existing safeguards must
remain effective
Existing protections for productive
agricultural areas should not simply
be weakened because another project
has been declared strategically
important.
Stronger Landowner
Protections
Practical reforms that better protect
Queensland landowners and their
businesses.
Why this matters to Queensland farmers
A decision made on a project map can have very different consequences when you are the person trying to run the property.
A farm has water infrastructure, fencing, stock movements, crop areas, access roads, yards, biosecurity requirements and a whole operating system built around the land.
You cannot simply pick up a farm and move it somewhere else.
That is why landowners need a genuine seat at the negotiating table.
01
Contact MP
Tell them you support responsible development, but you want stronger protections for Queensland landowners.
Ask them:
- Why does the Bill extend beyond critical minerals?
- How will compulsory acquisition remain a genuine last resort?
- How will landowners be protected throughout negotiations?
- Tell them what it means on your property
- You do not need to provide technical legal commentary.
Tell them about your own farm.
Explain what would happen if access, infrastructure or acquisition affected your water, livestock, crops, fencing, roads, biosecurity or the way you operate your property.
02
Contact your Mayor and Councillors
Ask your local Council representatives to understand the implications of the Bill for landowners and farming businesses in your region and to raise those concerns with State representatives.
03
Share the campaign
Help other Queensland landowners understand what is being proposed.
#CriticalMineralsBill #AgForce
Download the AgForce Member Action Kit
We have made it easy to take action.
The Member Action Kit includes:
A Letter to your State MP
A Letter to your Mayor or Councillor
Key AgForce Talking Points
A Short Video Script Recorded on your Property
Two Social Media Posts
Guidance on Telling your Own Story
© 2026 AgForce Queensland Farmers Limited. All rights reserved.
Contact Us
- (07) 3236 3100
- agforce@agforceqld.org.au
- Level 10, 200 Mary St BRISBANE Qld 4000