❓ Donaldson questions Ford on state funding for illegal fishing programs if federal funding is cut. Ford assures action, including contacting the federal minister and advocating for continued aerial surveillance.
AnsweredQoN 405Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ILLEGAL FISHING — CUTS TO PROGRAMS
I refer to an article in The West Australian today with the heading “Budget axe feared for policing of illegal fishing in northern waters”. If the headline assumption is correct, fish stocks would be devastated as a result of the resumption of illegal fishing in these waters. The former Howard government’s programs, including increased surveillance, resulted in significantly reduced illegal fishing, with illegal vessel sightings decreasing 19 per cent over the past 18 months. (1) Will the state government continue to fund existing programs if the Rudd Labor government axes the funding for these programs? (2) Will the minister urgently contact the federal minister, Tony Burke, to inform him of the serious consequences if any programs are axed, which would devastate the fishing industry and the state in those northern waters? Hon JON FORD
I refer to an article in The West Australian today with the heading “Budget axe feared for policing of illegal fishing in northern waters”. If the headline assumption is correct, fish stocks would be devastated as a result of the resumption of illegal fishing in these waters. The former Howard government’s programs, including increased surveillance, resulted in significantly reduced illegal fishing, with illegal vessel sightings decreasing 19 per cent over the past 18 months. (1) Will the state government continue to fund existing programs if the Rudd Labor government axes the funding for these programs? (2) Will the minister urgently contact the federal minister, Tony Burke, to inform him of the serious consequences if any programs are axed, which would devastate the fishing industry and the state in those northern waters? Hon JON FORD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) I think the answer is yes, yes and yes. Firstly, we have to read the article itself. It is referring to the whole of northern Australia. It has been a bit difficult to try to work out today, even after talking to Hon Tony Burke’s office, where the article is referring to. However, I met with Hon Tony Burke a few weeks after he was sworn in as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and we talked about illegal foreign fishing, including the memorandum of understanding box. I have had meetings with Chris Natt and we are encouraging Hon Tony Burke to meet with us in Darwin, where all the northern fisheries ministers are going to discuss these very important matters. Today, we contacted his office after reading that article to let him know just how serious we are about this matter. We sent over a selection of previous newspaper clippings regarding the correspondence and open verbal warfare that I was having at the time with the then minister, Hon Ian MacDonald, and then with Senator Eric Abetz. I let him know in no uncertain terms that although we will accept reductions where it can be demonstrated that there has been a drop in requirement—such as burning facilities, disposal facilities for vessels and such—we would take a very serious view of any reduction in aerial surveillance, because there is no long-term evidence that there has been an effective reduction in the impact of illegal foreign fishing. Until we are confident that it is, we will not be complimentary in our response. We have to, of course, wait to see what the budget brings down.
(1) Will the state government continue to fund existing programs if the Rudd Labor government axes the funding for these programs? (2) Will the minister urgently contact the federal minister, Tony Burke, to inform him of the serious consequences if any programs are axed, which would devastate the fishing industry and the state in those northern waters? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) I think the answer is yes, yes and yes. Firstly, we have to read the article itself. It is referring to the whole of northern Australia. It has been a bit difficult to try to work out today, even after talking to Hon Tony Burke’s office, where the article is referring to. However, I met with Hon Tony Burke a few weeks after he was sworn in as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and we talked about illegal foreign fishing, including the memorandum of understanding box. I have had meetings with Chris Natt and we are encouraging Hon Tony Burke to meet with us in Darwin, where all the northern fisheries ministers are going to discuss these very important matters. Today, we contacted his office after reading that article to let him know just how serious we are about this matter. We sent over a selection of previous newspaper clippings regarding the correspondence and open verbal warfare that I was having at the time with the then minister, Hon Ian MacDonald, and then with Senator Eric Abetz. I let him know in no uncertain terms that although we will accept reductions where it can be demonstrated that there has been a drop in requirement—such as burning facilities, disposal facilities for vessels and such—we would take a very serious view of any reduction in aerial surveillance, because there is no long-term evidence that there has been an effective reduction in the impact of illegal foreign fishing. Until we are confident that it is, we will not be complimentary in our response. We have to, of course, wait to see what the budget brings down.
(2) Will the minister urgently contact the federal minister, Tony Burke, to inform him of the serious consequences if any programs are axed, which would devastate the fishing industry and the state in those northern waters? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) I think the answer is yes, yes and yes. Firstly, we have to read the article itself. It is referring to the whole of northern Australia. It has been a bit difficult to try to work out today, even after talking to Hon Tony Burke’s office, where the article is referring to. However, I met with Hon Tony Burke a few weeks after he was sworn in as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and we talked about illegal foreign fishing, including the memorandum of understanding box. I have had meetings with Chris Natt and we are encouraging Hon Tony Burke to meet with us in Darwin, where all the northern fisheries ministers are going to discuss these very important matters. Today, we contacted his office after reading that article to let him know just how serious we are about this matter. We sent over a selection of previous newspaper clippings regarding the correspondence and open verbal warfare that I was having at the time with the then minister, Hon Ian MacDonald, and then with Senator Eric Abetz. I let him know in no uncertain terms that although we will accept reductions where it can be demonstrated that there has been a drop in requirement—such as burning facilities, disposal facilities for vessels and such—we would take a very serious view of any reduction in aerial surveillance, because there is no long-term evidence that there has been an effective reduction in the impact of illegal foreign fishing. Until we are confident that it is, we will not be complimentary in our response. We have to, of course, wait to see what the budget brings down.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) I think the answer is yes, yes and yes. Firstly, we have to read the article itself. It is referring to the whole of northern Australia. It has been a bit difficult to try to work out today, even after talking to Hon Tony Burke’s office, where the article is referring to. However, I met with Hon Tony Burke a few weeks after he was sworn in as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and we talked about illegal foreign fishing, including the memorandum of understanding box. I have had meetings with Chris Natt and we are encouraging Hon Tony Burke to meet with us in Darwin, where all the northern fisheries ministers are going to discuss these very important matters. Today, we contacted his office after reading that article to let him know just how serious we are about this matter. We sent over a selection of previous newspaper clippings regarding the correspondence and open verbal warfare that I was having at the time with the then minister, Hon Ian MacDonald, and then with Senator Eric Abetz. I let him know in no uncertain terms that although we will accept reductions where it can be demonstrated that there has been a drop in requirement—such as burning facilities, disposal facilities for vessels and such—we would take a very serious view of any reduction in aerial surveillance, because there is no long-term evidence that there has been an effective reduction in the impact of illegal foreign fishing. Until we are confident that it is, we will not be complimentary in our response. We have to, of course, wait to see what the budget brings down.
I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) I think the answer is yes, yes and yes. Firstly, we have to read the article itself. It is referring to the whole of northern Australia. It has been a bit difficult to try to work out today, even after talking to Hon Tony Burke’s office, where the article is referring to. However, I met with Hon Tony Burke a few weeks after he was sworn in as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and we talked about illegal foreign fishing, including the memorandum of understanding box. I have had meetings with Chris Natt and we are encouraging Hon Tony Burke to meet with us in Darwin, where all the northern fisheries ministers are going to discuss these very important matters. Today, we contacted his office after reading that article to let him know just how serious we are about this matter. We sent over a selection of previous newspaper clippings regarding the correspondence and open verbal warfare that I was having at the time with the then minister, Hon Ian MacDonald, and then with Senator Eric Abetz. I let him know in no uncertain terms that although we will accept reductions where it can be demonstrated that there has been a drop in requirement—such as burning facilities, disposal facilities for vessels and such—we would take a very serious view of any reduction in aerial surveillance, because there is no long-term evidence that there has been an effective reduction in the impact of illegal foreign fishing. Until we are confident that it is, we will not be complimentary in our response. We have to, of course, wait to see what the budget brings down.
(1)-(2) I think the answer is yes, yes and yes. Firstly, we have to read the article itself. It is referring to the whole of northern Australia. It has been a bit difficult to try to work out today, even after talking to Hon Tony Burke’s office, where the article is referring to. However, I met with Hon Tony Burke a few weeks after he was sworn in as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and we talked about illegal foreign fishing, including the memorandum of understanding box. I have had meetings with Chris Natt and we are encouraging Hon Tony Burke to meet with us in Darwin, where all the northern fisheries ministers are going to discuss these very important matters. Today, we contacted his office after reading that article to let him know just how serious we are about this matter. We sent over a selection of previous newspaper clippings regarding the correspondence and open verbal warfare that I was having at the time with the then minister, Hon Ian MacDonald, and then with Senator Eric Abetz. I let him know in no uncertain terms that although we will accept reductions where it can be demonstrated that there has been a drop in requirement—such as burning facilities, disposal facilities for vessels and such—we would take a very serious view of any reduction in aerial surveillance, because there is no long-term evidence that there has been an effective reduction in the impact of illegal foreign fishing. Until we are confident that it is, we will not be complimentary in our response. We have to, of course, wait to see what the budget brings down.
(1) Will the state government continue to fund existing programs if the Rudd Labor government axes the funding for these programs? (2) Will the minister urgently contact the federal minister, Tony Burke, to inform him of the serious consequences if any programs are axed, which would devastate the fishing industry and the state in those northern waters? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) I think the answer is yes, yes and yes. Firstly, we have to read the article itself. It is referring to the whole of northern Australia. It has been a bit difficult to try to work out today, even after talking to Hon Tony Burke’s office, where the article is referring to. However, I met with Hon Tony Burke a few weeks after he was sworn in as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and we talked about illegal foreign fishing, including the memorandum of understanding box. I have had meetings with Chris Natt and we are encouraging Hon Tony Burke to meet with us in Darwin, where all the northern fisheries ministers are going to discuss these very important matters. Today, we contacted his office after reading that article to let him know just how serious we are about this matter. We sent over a selection of previous newspaper clippings regarding the correspondence and open verbal warfare that I was having at the time with the then minister, Hon Ian MacDonald, and then with Senator Eric Abetz. I let him know in no uncertain terms that although we will accept reductions where it can be demonstrated that there has been a drop in requirement—such as burning facilities, disposal facilities for vessels and such—we would take a very serious view of any reduction in aerial surveillance, because there is no long-term evidence that there has been an effective reduction in the impact of illegal foreign fishing. Until we are confident that it is, we will not be complimentary in our response. We have to, of course, wait to see what the budget brings down.
(2) Will the minister urgently contact the federal minister, Tony Burke, to inform him of the serious consequences if any programs are axed, which would devastate the fishing industry and the state in those northern waters? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) I think the answer is yes, yes and yes. Firstly, we have to read the article itself. It is referring to the whole of northern Australia. It has been a bit difficult to try to work out today, even after talking to Hon Tony Burke’s office, where the article is referring to. However, I met with Hon Tony Burke a few weeks after he was sworn in as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and we talked about illegal foreign fishing, including the memorandum of understanding box. I have had meetings with Chris Natt and we are encouraging Hon Tony Burke to meet with us in Darwin, where all the northern fisheries ministers are going to discuss these very important matters. Today, we contacted his office after reading that article to let him know just how serious we are about this matter. We sent over a selection of previous newspaper clippings regarding the correspondence and open verbal warfare that I was having at the time with the then minister, Hon Ian MacDonald, and then with Senator Eric Abetz. I let him know in no uncertain terms that although we will accept reductions where it can be demonstrated that there has been a drop in requirement—such as burning facilities, disposal facilities for vessels and such—we would take a very serious view of any reduction in aerial surveillance, because there is no long-term evidence that there has been an effective reduction in the impact of illegal foreign fishing. Until we are confident that it is, we will not be complimentary in our response. We have to, of course, wait to see what the budget brings down.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) I think the answer is yes, yes and yes. Firstly, we have to read the article itself. It is referring to the whole of northern Australia. It has been a bit difficult to try to work out today, even after talking to Hon Tony Burke’s office, where the article is referring to. However, I met with Hon Tony Burke a few weeks after he was sworn in as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and we talked about illegal foreign fishing, including the memorandum of understanding box. I have had meetings with Chris Natt and we are encouraging Hon Tony Burke to meet with us in Darwin, where all the northern fisheries ministers are going to discuss these very important matters. Today, we contacted his office after reading that article to let him know just how serious we are about this matter. We sent over a selection of previous newspaper clippings regarding the correspondence and open verbal warfare that I was having at the time with the then minister, Hon Ian MacDonald, and then with Senator Eric Abetz. I let him know in no uncertain terms that although we will accept reductions where it can be demonstrated that there has been a drop in requirement—such as burning facilities, disposal facilities for vessels and such—we would take a very serious view of any reduction in aerial surveillance, because there is no long-term evidence that there has been an effective reduction in the impact of illegal foreign fishing. Until we are confident that it is, we will not be complimentary in our response. We have to, of course, wait to see what the budget brings down.
I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) I think the answer is yes, yes and yes. Firstly, we have to read the article itself. It is referring to the whole of northern Australia. It has been a bit difficult to try to work out today, even after talking to Hon Tony Burke’s office, where the article is referring to. However, I met with Hon Tony Burke a few weeks after he was sworn in as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and we talked about illegal foreign fishing, including the memorandum of understanding box. I have had meetings with Chris Natt and we are encouraging Hon Tony Burke to meet with us in Darwin, where all the northern fisheries ministers are going to discuss these very important matters. Today, we contacted his office after reading that article to let him know just how serious we are about this matter. We sent over a selection of previous newspaper clippings regarding the correspondence and open verbal warfare that I was having at the time with the then minister, Hon Ian MacDonald, and then with Senator Eric Abetz. I let him know in no uncertain terms that although we will accept reductions where it can be demonstrated that there has been a drop in requirement—such as burning facilities, disposal facilities for vessels and such—we would take a very serious view of any reduction in aerial surveillance, because there is no long-term evidence that there has been an effective reduction in the impact of illegal foreign fishing. Until we are confident that it is, we will not be complimentary in our response. We have to, of course, wait to see what the budget brings down.
(1)-(2) I think the answer is yes, yes and yes. Firstly, we have to read the article itself. It is referring to the whole of northern Australia. It has been a bit difficult to try to work out today, even after talking to Hon Tony Burke’s office, where the article is referring to. However, I met with Hon Tony Burke a few weeks after he was sworn in as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and we talked about illegal foreign fishing, including the memorandum of understanding box. I have had meetings with Chris Natt and we are encouraging Hon Tony Burke to meet with us in Darwin, where all the northern fisheries ministers are going to discuss these very important matters. Today, we contacted his office after reading that article to let him know just how serious we are about this matter. We sent over a selection of previous newspaper clippings regarding the correspondence and open verbal warfare that I was having at the time with the then minister, Hon Ian MacDonald, and then with Senator Eric Abetz. I let him know in no uncertain terms that although we will accept reductions where it can be demonstrated that there has been a drop in requirement—such as burning facilities, disposal facilities for vessels and such—we would take a very serious view of any reduction in aerial surveillance, because there is no long-term evidence that there has been an effective reduction in the impact of illegal foreign fishing. Until we are confident that it is, we will not be complimentary in our response. We have to, of course, wait to see what the budget brings down.
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