❓ Premier Gallop defends his criticism of the Commonwealth Minister for Fisheries regarding illegal fishing, citing lack of cooperation, resources, and strategy from the federal government, while reaffirming WA's willingness to assist.
AnsweredQoN 720Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Is the Premier aware of the comment that he should not be attacking the commonwealth Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Ian Macdonald, over the illegal fishing fiasco? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
The use of the expression “illegal fishing fiasco” is appropriate. On the best advice available, there have been more than 8 000 illegal entries into Australian waters over the past year. Of course, illegal entries are continuing to occur. What has been the response from the commonwealth government? First, there has been complacency. The commonwealth government keeps saying that all is in hand and that there are no problems, yet illegal entries continue to occur. Secondly, the commonwealth government does not cooperate with the states. It refuses to pass on information that could be important to the role of our fisheries officers in protecting the fishing laws of Western Australia. Thirdly, the commonwealth has absolutely no strategy for solving this problem. What is happening at the moment is not a strategy, because illegal entries are continuing to occur. Not only are they continuing, but also there is clear evidence that there have been landings on Australian soil, which raises quarantine and environmental issues. Our fish stocks have been plundered and some of our most important coral reefs have been affected by these activities. What has the commonwealth minister done? He is under pressure on this issue, so he has lashed out. Yesterday he said that the Western Australian government should set up its own coastguard. The commonwealth government is intruding into industrial relations, education and coastal management matters. However, it will not take seriously the responsibility it is given under our Constitution to protect Australian borders, and it is not carrying out its functions effectively. What did the federal minister do? He lashed out at the states. Our state government is willing to cooperate. It always has been. Our vessel, the Walcott , recently assisted with an illegal entry to the north. On ABC television last night, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition said of this issue - The critical issue is the need for the state government to stop this senseless program of bashing the federal government. That is the attitude of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. At the moment, Western Australia is dealing with the major issue of illegal entry of fishing boats and fishermen into our waters, which poses an environmental challenge, a quarantine challenge, a security challenge and a challenge to our fish stocks. What does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia say about this issue? He says that we should stop criticising the federal government. I will not stop criticising the federal government. This side of the house will not stop criticising the federal government. We say three things: first, we need a proper strategy to deal with this issue; secondly, the commonwealth must commit proper resources to deal with this issue; and thirdly, as has always been the case, this state will assist the commonwealth in dealing with this issue. However, we will not allow the commonwealth to escape from its responsibility to make sure that our borders are secure.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: The use of the expression “illegal fishing fiasco” is appropriate. On the best advice available, there have been more than 8 000 illegal entries into Australian waters over the past year. Of course, illegal entries are continuing to occur. What has been the response from the commonwealth government? First, there has been complacency. The commonwealth government keeps saying that all is in hand and that there are no problems, yet illegal entries continue to occur. Secondly, the commonwealth government does not cooperate with the states. It refuses to pass on information that could be important to the role of our fisheries officers in protecting the fishing laws of Western Australia. Thirdly, the commonwealth has absolutely no strategy for solving this problem. What is happening at the moment is not a strategy, because illegal entries are continuing to occur. Not only are they continuing, but also there is clear evidence that there have been landings on Australian soil, which raises quarantine and environmental issues. Our fish stocks have been plundered and some of our most important coral reefs have been affected by these activities. What has the commonwealth minister done? He is under pressure on this issue, so he has lashed out. Yesterday he said that the Western Australian government should set up its own coastguard. The commonwealth government is intruding into industrial relations, education and coastal management matters. However, it will not take seriously the responsibility it is given under our Constitution to protect Australian borders, and it is not carrying out its functions effectively. What did the federal minister do? He lashed out at the states. Our state government is willing to cooperate. It always has been. Our vessel, the Walcott , recently assisted with an illegal entry to the north. On ABC television last night, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition said of this issue - The critical issue is the need for the state government to stop this senseless program of bashing the federal government. That is the attitude of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. At the moment, Western Australia is dealing with the major issue of illegal entry of fishing boats and fishermen into our waters, which poses an environmental challenge, a quarantine challenge, a security challenge and a challenge to our fish stocks. What does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia say about this issue? He says that we should stop criticising the federal government. I will not stop criticising the federal government. This side of the house will not stop criticising the federal government. We say three things: first, we need a proper strategy to deal with this issue; secondly, the commonwealth must commit proper resources to deal with this issue; and thirdly, as has always been the case, this state will assist the commonwealth in dealing with this issue. However, we will not allow the commonwealth to escape from its responsibility to make sure that our borders are secure.
The use of the expression “illegal fishing fiasco” is appropriate. On the best advice available, there have been more than 8 000 illegal entries into Australian waters over the past year. Of course, illegal entries are continuing to occur. What has been the response from the commonwealth government? First, there has been complacency. The commonwealth government keeps saying that all is in hand and that there are no problems, yet illegal entries continue to occur. Secondly, the commonwealth government does not cooperate with the states. It refuses to pass on information that could be important to the role of our fisheries officers in protecting the fishing laws of Western Australia. Thirdly, the commonwealth has absolutely no strategy for solving this problem. What is happening at the moment is not a strategy, because illegal entries are continuing to occur. Not only are they continuing, but also there is clear evidence that there have been landings on Australian soil, which raises quarantine and environmental issues. Our fish stocks have been plundered and some of our most important coral reefs have been affected by these activities. What has the commonwealth minister done? He is under pressure on this issue, so he has lashed out. Yesterday he said that the Western Australian government should set up its own coastguard. The commonwealth government is intruding into industrial relations, education and coastal management matters. However, it will not take seriously the responsibility it is given under our Constitution to protect Australian borders, and it is not carrying out its functions effectively. What did the federal minister do? He lashed out at the states. Our state government is willing to cooperate. It always has been. Our vessel, the Walcott , recently assisted with an illegal entry to the north. On ABC television last night, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition said of this issue - The critical issue is the need for the state government to stop this senseless program of bashing the federal government. That is the attitude of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. At the moment, Western Australia is dealing with the major issue of illegal entry of fishing boats and fishermen into our waters, which poses an environmental challenge, a quarantine challenge, a security challenge and a challenge to our fish stocks. What does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia say about this issue? He says that we should stop criticising the federal government. I will not stop criticising the federal government. This side of the house will not stop criticising the federal government. We say three things: first, we need a proper strategy to deal with this issue; secondly, the commonwealth must commit proper resources to deal with this issue; and thirdly, as has always been the case, this state will assist the commonwealth in dealing with this issue. However, we will not allow the commonwealth to escape from its responsibility to make sure that our borders are secure.
What has the commonwealth minister done? He is under pressure on this issue, so he has lashed out. Yesterday he said that the Western Australian government should set up its own coastguard. The commonwealth government is intruding into industrial relations, education and coastal management matters. However, it will not take seriously the responsibility it is given under our Constitution to protect Australian borders, and it is not carrying out its functions effectively. What did the federal minister do? He lashed out at the states. Our state government is willing to cooperate. It always has been. Our vessel, the Walcott , recently assisted with an illegal entry to the north. On ABC television last night, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition said of this issue - The critical issue is the need for the state government to stop this senseless program of bashing the federal government. That is the attitude of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. At the moment, Western Australia is dealing with the major issue of illegal entry of fishing boats and fishermen into our waters, which poses an environmental challenge, a quarantine challenge, a security challenge and a challenge to our fish stocks. What does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia say about this issue? He says that we should stop criticising the federal government. I will not stop criticising the federal government. This side of the house will not stop criticising the federal government. We say three things: first, we need a proper strategy to deal with this issue; secondly, the commonwealth must commit proper resources to deal with this issue; and thirdly, as has always been the case, this state will assist the commonwealth in dealing with this issue. However, we will not allow the commonwealth to escape from its responsibility to make sure that our borders are secure.
On ABC television last night, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition said of this issue - The critical issue is the need for the state government to stop this senseless program of bashing the federal government. That is the attitude of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. At the moment, Western Australia is dealing with the major issue of illegal entry of fishing boats and fishermen into our waters, which poses an environmental challenge, a quarantine challenge, a security challenge and a challenge to our fish stocks. What does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia say about this issue? He says that we should stop criticising the federal government. I will not stop criticising the federal government. This side of the house will not stop criticising the federal government. We say three things: first, we need a proper strategy to deal with this issue; secondly, the commonwealth must commit proper resources to deal with this issue; and thirdly, as has always been the case, this state will assist the commonwealth in dealing with this issue. However, we will not allow the commonwealth to escape from its responsibility to make sure that our borders are secure.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: The use of the expression “illegal fishing fiasco” is appropriate. On the best advice available, there have been more than 8 000 illegal entries into Australian waters over the past year. Of course, illegal entries are continuing to occur. What has been the response from the commonwealth government? First, there has been complacency. The commonwealth government keeps saying that all is in hand and that there are no problems, yet illegal entries continue to occur. Secondly, the commonwealth government does not cooperate with the states. It refuses to pass on information that could be important to the role of our fisheries officers in protecting the fishing laws of Western Australia. Thirdly, the commonwealth has absolutely no strategy for solving this problem. What is happening at the moment is not a strategy, because illegal entries are continuing to occur. Not only are they continuing, but also there is clear evidence that there have been landings on Australian soil, which raises quarantine and environmental issues. Our fish stocks have been plundered and some of our most important coral reefs have been affected by these activities. What has the commonwealth minister done? He is under pressure on this issue, so he has lashed out. Yesterday he said that the Western Australian government should set up its own coastguard. The commonwealth government is intruding into industrial relations, education and coastal management matters. However, it will not take seriously the responsibility it is given under our Constitution to protect Australian borders, and it is not carrying out its functions effectively. What did the federal minister do? He lashed out at the states. Our state government is willing to cooperate. It always has been. Our vessel, the Walcott , recently assisted with an illegal entry to the north. On ABC television last night, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition said of this issue - The critical issue is the need for the state government to stop this senseless program of bashing the federal government. That is the attitude of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. At the moment, Western Australia is dealing with the major issue of illegal entry of fishing boats and fishermen into our waters, which poses an environmental challenge, a quarantine challenge, a security challenge and a challenge to our fish stocks. What does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia say about this issue? He says that we should stop criticising the federal government. I will not stop criticising the federal government. This side of the house will not stop criticising the federal government. We say three things: first, we need a proper strategy to deal with this issue; secondly, the commonwealth must commit proper resources to deal with this issue; and thirdly, as has always been the case, this state will assist the commonwealth in dealing with this issue. However, we will not allow the commonwealth to escape from its responsibility to make sure that our borders are secure.
The use of the expression “illegal fishing fiasco” is appropriate. On the best advice available, there have been more than 8 000 illegal entries into Australian waters over the past year. Of course, illegal entries are continuing to occur. What has been the response from the commonwealth government? First, there has been complacency. The commonwealth government keeps saying that all is in hand and that there are no problems, yet illegal entries continue to occur. Secondly, the commonwealth government does not cooperate with the states. It refuses to pass on information that could be important to the role of our fisheries officers in protecting the fishing laws of Western Australia. Thirdly, the commonwealth has absolutely no strategy for solving this problem. What is happening at the moment is not a strategy, because illegal entries are continuing to occur. Not only are they continuing, but also there is clear evidence that there have been landings on Australian soil, which raises quarantine and environmental issues. Our fish stocks have been plundered and some of our most important coral reefs have been affected by these activities. What has the commonwealth minister done? He is under pressure on this issue, so he has lashed out. Yesterday he said that the Western Australian government should set up its own coastguard. The commonwealth government is intruding into industrial relations, education and coastal management matters. However, it will not take seriously the responsibility it is given under our Constitution to protect Australian borders, and it is not carrying out its functions effectively. What did the federal minister do? He lashed out at the states. Our state government is willing to cooperate. It always has been. Our vessel, the Walcott , recently assisted with an illegal entry to the north. On ABC television last night, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition said of this issue - The critical issue is the need for the state government to stop this senseless program of bashing the federal government. That is the attitude of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. At the moment, Western Australia is dealing with the major issue of illegal entry of fishing boats and fishermen into our waters, which poses an environmental challenge, a quarantine challenge, a security challenge and a challenge to our fish stocks. What does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia say about this issue? He says that we should stop criticising the federal government. I will not stop criticising the federal government. This side of the house will not stop criticising the federal government. We say three things: first, we need a proper strategy to deal with this issue; secondly, the commonwealth must commit proper resources to deal with this issue; and thirdly, as has always been the case, this state will assist the commonwealth in dealing with this issue. However, we will not allow the commonwealth to escape from its responsibility to make sure that our borders are secure.
What has the commonwealth minister done? He is under pressure on this issue, so he has lashed out. Yesterday he said that the Western Australian government should set up its own coastguard. The commonwealth government is intruding into industrial relations, education and coastal management matters. However, it will not take seriously the responsibility it is given under our Constitution to protect Australian borders, and it is not carrying out its functions effectively. What did the federal minister do? He lashed out at the states. Our state government is willing to cooperate. It always has been. Our vessel, the Walcott , recently assisted with an illegal entry to the north. On ABC television last night, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition said of this issue - The critical issue is the need for the state government to stop this senseless program of bashing the federal government. That is the attitude of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. At the moment, Western Australia is dealing with the major issue of illegal entry of fishing boats and fishermen into our waters, which poses an environmental challenge, a quarantine challenge, a security challenge and a challenge to our fish stocks. What does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia say about this issue? He says that we should stop criticising the federal government. I will not stop criticising the federal government. This side of the house will not stop criticising the federal government. We say three things: first, we need a proper strategy to deal with this issue; secondly, the commonwealth must commit proper resources to deal with this issue; and thirdly, as has always been the case, this state will assist the commonwealth in dealing with this issue. However, we will not allow the commonwealth to escape from its responsibility to make sure that our borders are secure.
On ABC television last night, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition said of this issue - The critical issue is the need for the state government to stop this senseless program of bashing the federal government. That is the attitude of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. At the moment, Western Australia is dealing with the major issue of illegal entry of fishing boats and fishermen into our waters, which poses an environmental challenge, a quarantine challenge, a security challenge and a challenge to our fish stocks. What does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia say about this issue? He says that we should stop criticising the federal government. I will not stop criticising the federal government. This side of the house will not stop criticising the federal government. We say three things: first, we need a proper strategy to deal with this issue; secondly, the commonwealth must commit proper resources to deal with this issue; and thirdly, as has always been the case, this state will assist the commonwealth in dealing with this issue. However, we will not allow the commonwealth to escape from its responsibility to make sure that our borders are secure.
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