❓ Mr. Rundle questions the Premier about the South Coast Marine Park, alleging disregard for local livelihoods. The Premier defends the policy, emphasizing sustainability and consultation.
AnsweredQoN 289Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SOUTH COAST MARINE PARK
289. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
I
have a supplementary question. The Minister for Environment is taking no
notice. What will it take for the Premier and his government to realise
they cannot stampede over locals whose lifestyles and livelihoods are at stake?
289. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
I
have a supplementary question. The Minister for Environment is taking no
notice. What will it take for the Premier and his government to realise
they cannot stampede over locals whose lifestyles and livelihoods are at stake?
AnswerView source ↗
Of course, the opportunity to
establish a marine park in Western Australia is an important one to continue to
make sure we preserve endangered species, preserve stocks of particular fish
species and ensure our recreational and commercial fishers can fish into the
future. It will make sure we preserve the stocks we do have so that not only
people's children but also their grandchildren will have the same
opportunities to fish that we all take for granted today. But, of course, we
cannot take it for granted. This requires science. This requires careful
consideration. This requires responsible policy settings that will enable the sustainable
preservation of our fish stocks to protect what the member says is about
lifestyle and livelihoods. That is obviously the reason the Minister for
Environment is working closely with the community, consulting on aspects of
this important policy initiative to ensure we get the balance right. We accept
that people do not necessarily get everything they want every time they go into
these processes. However, I think everyone would agree that preserving our fish
stocks so we can have a sustainable fishery for both recreational and
commercial fishers —
Mr R.S. Love interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please.
Mr R.H. COOK : I think we can
all agree that preserving our fish stocks to make sure they are sustainable for
future generations is a central part —
Mr P.J. Rundle interjected.
Mr R.H. COOK : It is a central
part of what we should be doing in government. Think for a moment, Madam Speaker,
had we not been so careful in managing our rock lobster fisheries all those
years ago, what would have happened to that fishery? What would have happened
to the livelihoods of those people who are now part of a globally renowned
conservation fishery, regarded as the most sustainable in the world? It has
produced wealth —
Mr R.S. Love interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please.
Mr R.H. COOK : It has
produced wealth right across the community and, of course, sustains many people
in the member for Geraldton's electorate. To suggest this is some sort
of flight of fancy by the Minister for Environment is absolute rot. This is
obviously a careful policy process that the government is stepping through.
Agencies are working together to achieve the outcome that we want, which is to
make sure that we leave this environment —
Mr P.J. Rundle interjected.
Mr R.H. COOK : — in
as good as if not a better state than when we found it. That is what we should
all be uniting behind. The only people who are standing between now and that
goal are the Liberals and Nationals. We know that in government they have no
regard for the environment —
Mr P.J. Rundle interjected.
The SPEAKER : Sorry—order,
please. Your interjections are incessant.
Mr R.H. COOK : Under my
government, we have significantly increased the conservation estate, working
closely with traditional owners and
recreational users and commercial operators in the estate. Of course, our
marine parks are no different from that. The Minister for Environment
and Minister for Fisheries will continue to consult their stakeholders to make
sure we find a balance. It is not about picking winners or losers. It is about
working together for the best possible outcome for the community, the
environment and industries that depend upon that marine environment.
establish a marine park in Western Australia is an important one to continue to
make sure we preserve endangered species, preserve stocks of particular fish
species and ensure our recreational and commercial fishers can fish into the
future. It will make sure we preserve the stocks we do have so that not only
people's children but also their grandchildren will have the same
opportunities to fish that we all take for granted today. But, of course, we
cannot take it for granted. This requires science. This requires careful
consideration. This requires responsible policy settings that will enable the sustainable
preservation of our fish stocks to protect what the member says is about
lifestyle and livelihoods. That is obviously the reason the Minister for
Environment is working closely with the community, consulting on aspects of
this important policy initiative to ensure we get the balance right. We accept
that people do not necessarily get everything they want every time they go into
these processes. However, I think everyone would agree that preserving our fish
stocks so we can have a sustainable fishery for both recreational and
commercial fishers —
Mr R.S. Love interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please.
Mr R.H. COOK : I think we can
all agree that preserving our fish stocks to make sure they are sustainable for
future generations is a central part —
Mr P.J. Rundle interjected.
Mr R.H. COOK : It is a central
part of what we should be doing in government. Think for a moment, Madam Speaker,
had we not been so careful in managing our rock lobster fisheries all those
years ago, what would have happened to that fishery? What would have happened
to the livelihoods of those people who are now part of a globally renowned
conservation fishery, regarded as the most sustainable in the world? It has
produced wealth —
Mr R.S. Love interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please.
Mr R.H. COOK : It has
produced wealth right across the community and, of course, sustains many people
in the member for Geraldton's electorate. To suggest this is some sort
of flight of fancy by the Minister for Environment is absolute rot. This is
obviously a careful policy process that the government is stepping through.
Agencies are working together to achieve the outcome that we want, which is to
make sure that we leave this environment —
Mr P.J. Rundle interjected.
Mr R.H. COOK : — in
as good as if not a better state than when we found it. That is what we should
all be uniting behind. The only people who are standing between now and that
goal are the Liberals and Nationals. We know that in government they have no
regard for the environment —
Mr P.J. Rundle interjected.
The SPEAKER : Sorry—order,
please. Your interjections are incessant.
Mr R.H. COOK : Under my
government, we have significantly increased the conservation estate, working
closely with traditional owners and
recreational users and commercial operators in the estate. Of course, our
marine parks are no different from that. The Minister for Environment
and Minister for Fisheries will continue to consult their stakeholders to make
sure we find a balance. It is not about picking winners or losers. It is about
working together for the best possible outcome for the community, the
environment and industries that depend upon that marine environment.
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