LABOR DUSTS OFF OLD PLAN TO LOCK AUSTRALIANS OUT OF THEIR OWN WATERS
Shadow Minister for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald, has backed Australian fishers worried about being collateral damage in a renewed push by the Albanese Government and environmental activists to lock up vast areas of ocean.
Recreational and commercial fishers have questioned the scale and intent of a federal review into 44 Australian Marine Parks as part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to place at least 30 per cent of Australia’s oceans under highly protected marine park zoning by 2030.
The push to turn huge areas of the Coral Sea into no-take zones dates back to a campaign launched by the Pew Environment Group and other conservation organisations in 2008.
The then Labor Federal Government declared a 972,000-square-kilometre Coral Sea Conservation Zone in 2009 but this was shelved by the Abbott Coalition Government in 2013.
“The Abbott Government quite rightly stated we didn’t want to lock up our oceans, but now Labor is dusting off this activist agenda and pushing it again,” said Senator McDonald.
“North Queenslanders who fish in the Coral Sea and those who one day hope to visit it have every right to ask what this review will mean and what extreme ideology is driving it.”
Senator McDonald, based in Townsville, is a long-time opponent of Labor’s anti-fishing agenda. She said protecting Australia’s marine environment and supporting fishing were not mutually exclusive.
“I back sustainable commercial fishing. I back recreational fishing. I back charter operators and game fishers. These Australians have as much interest in healthy oceans and sustainable fish stocks as an international environmental organisation does.
“Fishing is part of our economy, our food security and our way of life.
“The Coral Sea is also part of Australia’s sovereign territory. Decisions about how Australians can sustainably use Australian waters should be based on Australian science, Australian circumstances and genuine consultation with Australian communities.
“Labor is using an arbitrary percentage dreamed up to satisfy an international target that harms Australia’s interests and will impact our ability to feed ourselves.
“We’ve already seen North Queensland commercial fishers hit by closures and restrictions. Recreational and game fishers are understandably concerned they will be next.
“I strongly encourage every commercial fisher, recreational fisher, charter operator, game fishing club and coastal community with an interest in these waters to make their voice heard before the September 30 deadline.
“And I put the Albanese Government on notice: consultation cannot simply mean taking submissions and then proceeding with a predetermined outcome.
“The Coalition will protect Australian sovereignty and preserve the Australian way of life.”
ENDS