SIZE OF BAIT DOES MATTER

The main political parties have delivered their recreational fishing policies, be it all a little late in the case of Labor.

Recreational fishers will go to the polls this Saturday.  Their vote will be influenced by their work and family values for the future, and their ongoing way of life.

The Chairman of Recfish Australia, the nations Peak Representative Body for recreational fishers, Mr Bruce Schumacher, agreed there is good and bad in the Fishing Policy from each party.  Recfish Australia has lobbied long and hard to be heard by both major parties, as well as speaking to the many other political candidates who have a fishing interest.

Mr Schumacher, summed up each major party's policy in simple words, the overall committed dollars on paper to each fishing sector now says it all.

At present the Coalition is well ahead putting up a clear and concise policy with funding in excess of $15 million dollars, over the next three years, to the recreational fishing sector. This is through continuing the successful Recreational Fishing Community Grants program, ongoing funding and support for the work of Recfish Australia, plus a commitment to review the National Recreational Fishing Policy during its next term.

Labor's policy is clouded in words and no detail, offering only $2 million dollars to service the nations estimated 3.5 million recreational fishers. The pledges to re-invent the recreational fishing representation wheel, and to review the National Recreational Fishing Policy falls way short of the expectations of every fisher around Australia gaining some tangible benefit under Labor leadership.

When you consider that the recreational fishing sector invest over a billion dollars each year when dangling a line to catch a fish or two then a commitment by government to provide adequate financial support for consultation, support services and infrastructure to the fishing fraternity is not a big ask.

Bruce concluded by saying, "voting recreational fishers need to consider carefully where they cast their vote this Saturday 24th November 2007.  The major parties have shown their hand and there are candidates for the Senate who have pledged support for recreational fishing interests."

Media enquiries: Bruce Schumacher  0418 499322

PO Box 187, Grange Qld 4051 Phone/fax 07 3356 1111 Email ABN 87 547 561 663 www.recfish.com.au