STOP THE BAN ON COMMERCIAL GILLNETS
Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox addressed Parliament and the Albanese Labor Government during this month’s sitting week with an impassioned speech in response to the ban on commercial gillnet fishing.
The frustrated MP said that the Federal Labor Government is taking away the rights and ability of at least 90 licenced fishermen in the North Queensland region to earn a living.
“In June, a joint media release from Federal and Queensland Labor have said they’re going to ban gillnet fishing… no consultation with the community, no consultation with our fishermen, and short time frames! This is going to happen by the end of this year” Mr Willcox said.
“I was talking to one of these fishermen, and he happened to have a daughter who’s in grade 12, a straight A student who wants to go to university to become a doctor, a GP, and we certainly need more of those in rural and regional Australia.
“And now, with the stroke of a pen from Canberra, this dream is being taken away. It’s absolutely disgraceful!”
Mr Willcox also questioned Parliament about the effects on the communities, detailing that it’s not just the fishermen and women’s lives who would be negatively impacted.
“As we know, the fishermen operate in a tough environment, out in the sun and out in the salt. So, they need a lot of shackles, ropes, floats, anchors, all those sorts of things. Without this, the chandlery shops are going to go out of business, and the ice producers.
“The boatbuilders, the repairers, they’re all going to go out of business. The outboard sales and service, going out of business.
“And what does it mean for the average Australians when you take 2,000 tonnes of fresh, wild caught fish out of the equation? What it means, simple supply and demand!
“When you take the supply out, the price will go up. So, then, we’ll be relying on more imported fish. So, rather than having fish from our pristine waters… we’ll be importing lesser-quality fish, and prices will be skyrocketing!”
Mr Willcox exclaimed that he will “not be taking this lying down” and has written to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, on this issue.
“I’m calling on Minister Plibersek to come to my electorate, do some community consultation, talk to the fishermen, have a discussion, and see how the fishermen fish!”
Mr Willcox also called out the Labor Government for “this absolute rubbish” about gillnets damaging the Great Barrier Reef stating “these nets don’t go within 60kms of the Great Barrier Reef! It’s just another Labor lie!”
“The wild caught fishing industry in Queensland deserves to be protected and deserves to be supported! The fishing industry is sustainable, and the fishery is in good condition!
“The fishing industry is operated by a quota system that has been developed by science … and is heavily regulated. They have to check in at night. They have to have their logbooks. The fishing industry is heavily monitored via GPS.
“The wild caught fishing industry is run by professional men and women and has been done for so many generations!”
Mr Willcox also had a message for all recreational fishermen, explaining that this is just the start for the Labor Government and believes that once they have punished and persecuted the professional fishermen, recreational fishermen and women will be next.
“Australia, we must stand up and support our professional fisher men and women. Do not let this cruel Albanese Labor Government destroy our primary industries!” exclaimed an exasperated Mr Willcox.
To listen to the entire Parliamentary address, please visit Andrew Willcox MP on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AndrewWillcoxMP/videos/2314904222050219