❓ Question regarding the South Coast Marine Park draft consultation, alleging disregard for local impact and influence from a US lobby group. The Minister's response is highly defensive, dismissing the question as fearmongering and hearsay.
AnsweredQoN 903Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SOUTH COAST MARINE PARK
903. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the draft consultation
for the south coast marine park and accusations that the Department of
Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has mapped the reserve with little
regard for local impact on community or industry—a point made by the
minister's own department.
(1) Does the minister
agree that the current plans for the south coast marine park, which are backed
by a United States lobby group, are not in the community's best
interest?
(2) Has he raised
concern with the Minister for Environment directly, given his department's
comments that based on the draft zoning scheme, it will likely result in the
loss of several south coast fisheries and impact the livelihoods of numerous
fisheries?
(3) Why has this
consultation process been delayed by more than six months?
903. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the draft consultation
for the south coast marine park and accusations that the Department of
Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has mapped the reserve with little
regard for local impact on community or industry—a point made by the
minister's own department.
(1) Does the minister
agree that the current plans for the south coast marine park, which are backed
by a United States lobby group, are not in the community's best
interest?
(2) Has he raised
concern with the Minister for Environment directly, given his department's
comments that based on the draft zoning scheme, it will likely result in the
loss of several south coast fisheries and impact the livelihoods of numerous
fisheries?
(3) Why has this
consultation process been delayed by more than six months?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I
thank the member for his question. The member is a specialist in hearsay. He is
a bit like a bottom feeder, crawling around trying to find some piece of
information to use in a very sad way. All I have heard from the opposition has
been fearmongering designed to cause anxiety and upset. At the end of the day,
I cannot help but be cynical and think that this is not about the fishers, but
is all about votes. It is trying to grab votes in cheap, nasty and divisive
way.
The
Minister for Environment has outlined the process. I have yet to receive the
information that requires my concurrence or otherwise to take the
process forward. When that process comes to me and moves on, there will be a four-month
consultation period in which I expect everyone with an interest—conservationists,
fishers, recreational fishers and community members—to have a good look
and decide what they think fits and does not fit with their community.
I draw the member back to his earlier
comments and I certainly thank him for enlightening me about the Royal Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. I know that the members opposite are
very quick to note the work of the Marine Stewardship Council and take its
advice on sustainability. Where is the Marine Stewardship Council based? It is
in the United Kingdom.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Mr D.T. PUNCH : When the
member wants to come in here and talk seriously about fisheries, ask some
sensible questions or take the offer of briefings on the sustainability of
fisheries or whatever, I am more than open to having that conversation.
However, he should not come in here with half-truths, hearsay and innuendo that
are all designed to simply grab a headline and cause angst in a community that
does not need to have angst. It will have its say.
thank the member for his question. The member is a specialist in hearsay. He is
a bit like a bottom feeder, crawling around trying to find some piece of
information to use in a very sad way. All I have heard from the opposition has
been fearmongering designed to cause anxiety and upset. At the end of the day,
I cannot help but be cynical and think that this is not about the fishers, but
is all about votes. It is trying to grab votes in cheap, nasty and divisive
way.
The
Minister for Environment has outlined the process. I have yet to receive the
information that requires my concurrence or otherwise to take the
process forward. When that process comes to me and moves on, there will be a four-month
consultation period in which I expect everyone with an interest—conservationists,
fishers, recreational fishers and community members—to have a good look
and decide what they think fits and does not fit with their community.
I draw the member back to his earlier
comments and I certainly thank him for enlightening me about the Royal Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. I know that the members opposite are
very quick to note the work of the Marine Stewardship Council and take its
advice on sustainability. Where is the Marine Stewardship Council based? It is
in the United Kingdom.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Mr D.T. PUNCH : When the
member wants to come in here and talk seriously about fisheries, ask some
sensible questions or take the offer of briefings on the sustainability of
fisheries or whatever, I am more than open to having that conversation.
However, he should not come in here with half-truths, hearsay and innuendo that
are all designed to simply grab a headline and cause angst in a community that
does not need to have angst. It will have its say.
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