SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK

Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry

M E D I A R E L E A S E 16 August 2010

Labor's Tony Burke runs scared from national fishing conference

Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke has demonstrated Labor's failure to support the recreational fishing sector by refusing to turn up to a national fishing conference over the weekend.

Coalition spokesperson for Fisheries Senator Richard Colbeck who stepped in for the Minister at the Australian Fishing Tackle Conference on the Gold Coast said Labor had completely forgotten the recreational fishing sector. "The Australian Fishing Tackle Association is to be congratulated for their impressive national conference and efforts to promote the benefits of recreational fishing," Senator Colbeck said. "Despite this Minister Burke was a no-show. It shows the lack of regard Labor has for recreational fishers and fishing tackle businesses. "This follows the failure by Minister Burke to turn up to his own Ministerial roundtable for recreational fishing in Canberra just a few weeks ago instead sending along Departmental officials. "Over the past three years Labor has displayed a complete lack of communication, a complete lack of consultation and a complete lack of consideration for recreational fishers. "When is Mr Burke going to realise he is the Minister for Fisheries not the Minister against Fisheries?"

Senator Colbeck said over the past three years, Labor has:

· Stripped the national peak body, Recfish of its funding

· Banned the fishing of mako and porbeagle sharks and then back-flipped following a national grassroots political campaign by recreational fishers;

· Banned the fishing of thresher sharks

· Threatened massive new no-take marine parks around Australia; and

· Allowed fringe environmental groups to unilaterally influence policy;

Senator Colbeck said the recreational fishing sector and its many millions of participants can be assured they will be genuinely listened to by a Coalition Government. "Tony Abbott has already released our marine parks policy which will see recreational fishers given a much greater say in the establishment of any marine parks. Further initiatives will be released shortly," Senator Colbeck said. "The Coalition will give recreational fishing the respect and recognition it fully deserves as a contributor to the environment, to healthy lifestyles and to the nation's economy. "The Coalition recognises the strength and importance of recreational fishing around Australia with more than 3.5 million Australians dropping a line every year. "The Coalition understands the economic importance of recreational fishing. The thousands of businesses including charter operators, bait & tackle stores, outboard engine stores, boat dealers and many others in fishing communities are critical to our national economy worth billions of dollars and employing thousands of Australians."