❓ Hon Colin de Grussa asks about the government's analysis and response to the impact of the Chinese market closure on the Western Rock Lobster industry, including financial viability and assistance measures. The government acknowledges the impact and outlines support measures, with a decision on the fee waiver still pending.
AnsweredQoN 126Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WESTERN ROCK LOBSTER FISHERY — EXPORTS —
CHINA
126. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the catastrophic effect
the closure of the Chinese market has had on the western rock lobster industry.
(1) Has the government
undertaken any analysis to quantify the impact of the loss of the Chinese
market on the industry; and, if not, why not?
(2) If yes to
(1), has the scope of any such analysis included an assessment of the ongoing
financial viability of individual licence
holders, the sustainability and overall viability of the industry across a range
of product pricing and alternative market scenarios or the impacts on
local businesses and regional economies which support the rock lobster
industry, or an investigation of financial, regulatory or general industry
assistance measures?
(3) What is the
government's response to the Western Rock Lobster Council's
request for a waiver of the deferred gross value of production access fees?
CHINA
126. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the catastrophic effect
the closure of the Chinese market has had on the western rock lobster industry.
(1) Has the government
undertaken any analysis to quantify the impact of the loss of the Chinese
market on the industry; and, if not, why not?
(2) If yes to
(1), has the scope of any such analysis included an assessment of the ongoing
financial viability of individual licence
holders, the sustainability and overall viability of the industry across a range
of product pricing and alternative market scenarios or the impacts on
local businesses and regional economies which support the rock lobster
industry, or an investigation of financial, regulatory or general industry
assistance measures?
(3) What is the
government's response to the Western Rock Lobster Council's
request for a waiver of the deferred gross value of production access fees?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) The
government acknowledges the impacts of the China trade disruption on the west
coast rock lobster fishery. Preliminary estimates, as evidenced by the prices
paid to fishers throughout the season, suggest that the value of the industry
could have halved from an annual gross value product of over $400 million. The
government is monitoring the situation, but the full extent of the value
reduction resulting from the China market closure will not be known until later
this year.
The state government continues to
work very closely with the western rock lobster industry to assist the industry
to minimise the economic impact of the loss of the Chinese market on fishers,
and continues to provide support to assist with market diversification
opportunities. Assistance to the industry includes the initial introduction and
enhancement of the back-of-boat sales mechanism, which resulted in
significantly more rock lobsters being made available to the local community,
restaurants and seafood wholesale and retail outlets at prices comparable with
or exceeding the export price paid to fishers.
(3) The government has not yet
responded to this request as it is still under consideration.
for some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) The
government acknowledges the impacts of the China trade disruption on the west
coast rock lobster fishery. Preliminary estimates, as evidenced by the prices
paid to fishers throughout the season, suggest that the value of the industry
could have halved from an annual gross value product of over $400 million. The
government is monitoring the situation, but the full extent of the value
reduction resulting from the China market closure will not be known until later
this year.
The state government continues to
work very closely with the western rock lobster industry to assist the industry
to minimise the economic impact of the loss of the Chinese market on fishers,
and continues to provide support to assist with market diversification
opportunities. Assistance to the industry includes the initial introduction and
enhancement of the back-of-boat sales mechanism, which resulted in
significantly more rock lobsters being made available to the local community,
restaurants and seafood wholesale and retail outlets at prices comparable with
or exceeding the export price paid to fishers.
(3) The government has not yet
responded to this request as it is still under consideration.
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