Bill
Prime Agricultural Land Protection Bill 2026
lapsed, as at 2026-09-15.
- Sponsor
- Penfold
- Portfolio
- Not recorded
Recorded stages
- introduced — 2026-03-02
- second reading — 2026-03-02
- other — 2026-09-15
Divisions
No divisions recorded. Most questions are decided on the voices; this does not establish that a bill was unopposed.
Plain-language summary
Written by a model from the explanatory memorandum; not the record, as at 2026-03-02.
This bill would create a nationwide system to safeguard Australia's best farmland from threats like mining, housing, energy projects and foreign investment.
It would set up an independent Agriculture Commissioner to resolve disputes, oversee community acceptance processes and enforce the rules.
The bill would restrict federal funding for projects that harm farm productivity or enable unwanted foreign ownership.
- Creates a national map that sorts farmland into tiers based on how productive it is.
- Limits Commonwealth money for projects that damage agricultural output or lead to foreign control.
- Gives farmers stronger rights around housing, moving help and dealing with project effects.
- Sets up an Agriculture Commissioner with independent powers to handle disputes and monitor compliance.
- Provides for compensation when the law takes property without fair payment.
Farmers, agricultural landowners, foreign investors, and Commonwealth agencies that fund projects on agricultural land.
Sources
em
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