Net Free Zones. Disallowance Motion report

[Lucky_Phill]

Notes from Net Free Area Parliamentary debate


Wednesday 14^th October, 2015


Disappointing demonstration by the LNP of what not to expect as far as the behaviour of our elected representatives goes. There was constant murmuring during ALP presentations, sometimes so much so that it was difficult to hear. They listened to none of the ALP presentations and as a result answered none of the points raised
.

Most surprising was the behaviour of the opposition fisheries spokesperson who most often had her back to the ALP person speaking and was generally speaking and giggling at the same time.
Not a statesman amongst them, lucky Queensland doesn’t have an upper house.


Deb Frecklington

• Lack of knowledge of Trinity Bay access arrangements
• No mention of environmental impacts of netting
• No understanding or knowledge of localized depletions
• No consideration of significant commercial black marketing
• Paid no attention to any ALP speakers and continually strolled around talking as though she was at a social function.

LNP continued to interject and not listen. Sid Cramp (Gaven margin 1148 rec fishers 6539) and Andrew Cripps (Hinchinbrook margin 3550 recs 7182) both received an official warning from the Speaker.
Verity Barton (Broadwater)

• Opposed net free areas in principle

“I am incredibly concerned about the emails that I have seen which indicate that the Labor Party clearly intends to roll out net-free zones right across Queensland. This is just a continued betrayal of the people of Queensland.
…. I am very concerned about what this minister’s plans are for fishing in this state.”



Stephen Bennett (Burnett)

• Just repeated commercial stories about livelihoods without working the maths back to show that the examples he used only worked 10-20 days per year over the last three years in these areas. (Burnett margin 3712 recreational fishers 6733)

20.30 only 19 in the seats


Jason Costigan (Whitsunday)

• Started with personal insults and rude and offensive comments were demanded to be withdrawn by the Speaker.
• Completely ignored the previous speaker from Mackay who advised that “Recent independent assessments of the inshore net fishery have been particularly unfavourable, with both the Commonwealth government and Coles supermarket identifying the inshore gillnet fishery as having unacceptable impacts on important conservation species such as dugong, turtles and sharks. Coles recently announced that it would no longer continue to sell some Queensland fish taken using gillnets because it contravenes its commitment to sell sustainably resourced seafood.”
• 15 LNP at 20.40
• Whitsunday margin 218, recreational fishers 9165. Sadly, Mr Costigan was probably elected on the basis of his support for the Net Free Area he now intend to scuttle.

Tony Perrett (Gympie)

• Made unsubstantiated and false statements regarding Queensland seafood going to local markets.
• Gympie margin 3439, recreational fishers 6623

Dale Last (Burdekin)

• Admitted that he was aware of a commercial fisher in his electorate completing his daily logbook whilst on holiday overseas.
• Burdekin margin 1329, recreational fishers 6767.

Ted Sorensen (Hervey Bay)

• Does not understand the difference between Net Free Areas under Fisheries legislation and Conservation Park Zones under Environmental legislation – different departments and different criteria.
• Spent half his allocated time talking about historical mud crab legislation – not sure of his mindset here.
• “In Hervey Bay, we have a net-free zone. I do not think people catch more fish in that net-free zone than anywhere else.” Hervey Bay actually has yellow conservation zones that allows the worst gill netting, small mesh nets. This is why the fishing there is no better than elsewhere.
• He was inflammatory and provocative and attempted to make the Net Free Areas into a green conspiracy.
• He also tried to place his intolerant perspective onto the whole of the fishing industry. In spite of his dogmatic anti recreational fishing views, the commercial fishing, recreational fishing and conservation sectors have been and are still working together very effectively on many other important issues.
• Hervey Bay margin 3817, recreational fishers 7184

Andrew Cripps (Hinchinbrook)

• 19 LNP at 21.10, there were 35 in the gallery
• Opposed Net Free Areas in principle.
• Hinchinbrook margin 3550, recreational fishers 7182

When Minister Byrne spoke there was significant interjection, the Member from Whitsunday received another warning. Lawrence Springborg did not arrive until 21.30 so heard none of the presentations.

The vote as 46 to 41 against the disallowance motion. Katter, Knuth and Gordon voted to oppose the motion and Mark Robinson LNP was absent.


The above report was furnished to me by Judy Lynne, Executive Officer. Sunfish Queensland Inc. and is a very good summation of the evenings proceedings of which I attended.

cheers LP

[Macks forever]

Thanks Phill and excellent work Judy Lynne.

How can these illiterate swill fairly claim to represent the people? Especially reading that inane stuff by that Sorensen. Is he really dumb or in the pay of the commercial sector?

[hainsofast]

That Verity Barton is "icky"