Derek_Bullock
14-01-2006, 11:00 AM
Senator Ian Macdonald finally speaks out in opposition to the National Animal Welfare Bill 2005. The following press release is from his office.
Derek
Democrats’ Bill would see the end of recreational fishing
The Democrats’ private Member’s Bill, the National Animal Welfare Bill 2005, would effectively outlaw recreational fishing, Australian Fisheries Minister Senator Ian Macdonald warned today.
The Bill, introduced by Democrat Senator Andrew Bartlett, proposes to outlaw the "capture and killing of wild animals for the purpose of entertainment and sport", which would effectively ban recreational fishing as well as other outdoor sports such as pig shooting.
The Bill is before the Senate’s Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, who are due to report back to the Senate by the last sitting day in June 2006.
Senator Macdonald said that, although written submissions to the Bill had formally closed on 30 November 2005, the Committee was happy to continue to accept submissions until the end of January 2006, and he urged all recreational fishermen to voice their anger at the Democrats’ Bill. The Committee was also expected to hold public hearings in the coming months.
Information on providing a submission to the Committee can be found at: http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/rrat_ctte/animal_welfare05/info.htm
“Recreational fishing is one of our most loved national pastimes and a great family activity, which is threatened by the Democrats’ stupidity,” Senator Macdonald said.
The $3.3m National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey, primarily funded by the Australian Government, showed that almost 20% of Australians aged five years or older go fishing at least once a year — that's 3.5 million Australians wetting a line annually.
The study also showed that recreational fishermen spend $1.8 billion on fishing-related equipment and activities annually, much of this in regional areas, providing a vital cash injection to regional communities.
“The Government is opposed to the Democrats’ proposed ban as it would be a kick in the guts for millions of recreational fishermen and destroy thousands of regional jobs,” Senator Macdonald said.
“This Bill demonstrates once again how out of touch Democrats are with ordinary Australians, and why their Party’s support base has collapsed in recent times,” said Senator Macdonald.
The Howard Government strongly supports recreational fishing and has provided unprecedented support to recreational fishermen through the Government’s $15 million Recreational Fishing Community Grants Programme.
13 January 2006
Media contact: Ryan Haddrick, Senator Macdonald’s office, (07) 4771 3066
Derek
Democrats’ Bill would see the end of recreational fishing
The Democrats’ private Member’s Bill, the National Animal Welfare Bill 2005, would effectively outlaw recreational fishing, Australian Fisheries Minister Senator Ian Macdonald warned today.
The Bill, introduced by Democrat Senator Andrew Bartlett, proposes to outlaw the "capture and killing of wild animals for the purpose of entertainment and sport", which would effectively ban recreational fishing as well as other outdoor sports such as pig shooting.
The Bill is before the Senate’s Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, who are due to report back to the Senate by the last sitting day in June 2006.
Senator Macdonald said that, although written submissions to the Bill had formally closed on 30 November 2005, the Committee was happy to continue to accept submissions until the end of January 2006, and he urged all recreational fishermen to voice their anger at the Democrats’ Bill. The Committee was also expected to hold public hearings in the coming months.
Information on providing a submission to the Committee can be found at: http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/rrat_ctte/animal_welfare05/info.htm
“Recreational fishing is one of our most loved national pastimes and a great family activity, which is threatened by the Democrats’ stupidity,” Senator Macdonald said.
The $3.3m National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey, primarily funded by the Australian Government, showed that almost 20% of Australians aged five years or older go fishing at least once a year — that's 3.5 million Australians wetting a line annually.
The study also showed that recreational fishermen spend $1.8 billion on fishing-related equipment and activities annually, much of this in regional areas, providing a vital cash injection to regional communities.
“The Government is opposed to the Democrats’ proposed ban as it would be a kick in the guts for millions of recreational fishermen and destroy thousands of regional jobs,” Senator Macdonald said.
“This Bill demonstrates once again how out of touch Democrats are with ordinary Australians, and why their Party’s support base has collapsed in recent times,” said Senator Macdonald.
The Howard Government strongly supports recreational fishing and has provided unprecedented support to recreational fishermen through the Government’s $15 million Recreational Fishing Community Grants Programme.
13 January 2006
Media contact: Ryan Haddrick, Senator Macdonald’s office, (07) 4771 3066