Opposition fisheries paper will cause concern and confusion

21/9/04
An Opposition position paper on fisheries released yesterday will cause concern and confusion throughout the sector.
Fisheries Minister Kim Chance said the paper was an ill-conceived collection of vague promises that lacked a strategic vision and was only interesting for what it did not address.
Mr Chance noted that the centrepiece of the Coalition's paper was support for the Gallop Government's existing funding commitments to new projects in Geraldton.
"But recreational fishers and the aquaculture industry will be concerned that they have been completely ignored and commercial fishers will note the Coalition's lack of commitment to a future Integrated Fisheries Management model," he said.
"Fisheries staff and fishers in general will be confused and alarmed by vague promises to relocate the department to Geraldton.

"The sector generally will be concerned by the Opposition's negative attitude towards an industry that has been largely free of controversy under the Gallop Government."
The Minister said just hours after he released the position paper, Opposition Leader Colin Barnett had shifted position on the proposed future relocation of the department.
"In the space of one interview on ABC Radio he altered his position twice, eventually deciding that the entire department would relocate to Geraldton, which is not what the position paper states," Mr Chance said.
"The truth is that Mr Barnett knows the Government already has a strong fisheries focus on Geraldton and his promises are simply impractical.
"The Coalition does not have a credible fisheries policy, as evidenced by its position paper and the fact that fisheries does not even rate a mention in the Shadow Cabinet."
Mr Chance pointed out that when in power, the Coalition Cabinet decided to relocate the department's research division to Hillarys, a decision that Mr Barnett previously supported but is now criticising.
"We agreed with this decision and, on coming to office, funded it properly at a cost of $15million," he said.
"Construction is now under way and the new centre opens in January.
"The Opposition is now rewriting history in omitting this fact from its media statement. With this in mind, what chance is there of any vague promises to Geraldton being honoured?
"In terms of the department's primary regulatory function and its role in industry support, we think we have got the balance right.
"All sectors within fisheries are behind the Integrated Fisheries Management approach but significantly it has no place in an Opposition position paper that is bereft of any clear future vision."
The Minister said negative Opposition claims of conflict within the industry were laughable and ignored the facts.
"We have had four harmonious years in fisheries which is in stark contrast to the ongoing turmoil that racked the industry under the previous Coalition administration," he said.

Minister's office: 9213 6700