Opinion Piece
“The State and Federal Labor Governments must be held to account for their disastrous and mismanaged phaseout of commercial gillnets across Queensland, which is now seeing our local fishos consider walking away permanently,” Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox said.
The local MP has said that the ban on commercial gillnets was announced amid pressure from international activist organisations.
“It was not backed by any scientific reasoning, and there was no consultation with industry experts or the local men and women whose livelihoods are being destroyed,” Mr Willcox added.
“As your Federal Member, I am calling for a review of the unworkable and ludicrous restrictions that are being placed on those who hold a temporary NX fishing licence.
“The introduction of the temporary NX licences were touted as a lifeline for our local fishos, however the restrictions and increased regulatory requirements are seeing an increasing number of people leaving the industry completely.”
Mr Willcox added that these fishermen and women are being pressured out of their industry.
“An industry that has supported them, their families, and entire communities for generations, and we are seeing small businesses who rely on this industry really hurting,” he said.
“Since this ban was announced, I have held extensive consultations with local fishermen and women, I have called for a Senate Inquiry into the ban of commercial gillnets, which the Labor party and the Greens voted against, and I have attended community rallies organised by those whose industry is being shut down.
“I invited the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, and the Prime Minister to visit our electorate and talk to our local fishermen and women, an invitation that they have ignored.
“This decision made by the State and Federal Labor Governments is a betrayal to our regional communities that rely on our fishing industry.
“This harsh government intervention and inadequate rollout of the temporary NX licences is jeopardising the lives of our fishers.
“As your Federal Member, I will continue to do everything in my power to fight for the people living and working in my electorate of Dawson and to hold those in power to account.”
Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox addresses major concerns regarding local fishers potentially facing an uncertain future as government fails to consult on gillnet ban. Image supplied
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