Mr VATSKALIS - 2012-10-24
You have promised Territory amateur fishermen that under your government they will have access, without permits, to fish all Territory waters. Two of your ministers, the members for Namatjira and Braitling, had a secret meeting with the Tiwi Land Council a fortnight ago. Following that meeting the Tiwi Land Council has banned recreational fishing on the northern shores and your government has stopped reimbursing the cost of permits for fishing around the islands. Why have you broken your promise to Territorians?
Madam Speaker, I thank the honourable member for the question. I have indicated that the Fisheries minister was immediately sent to Tiwi to continue to engage in respectful discussion and negotiation. I am hopeful that by negotiation in good faith we can resolve this issue. That is exactly what we intend to do, and I can provide further updates in time on the progress of these matters, but as you could fully appreciate, these are challenging matters.
We will engage in good faith to resolve what is a challenging issue. I believe we have the capacity because we have the genuine ability to engage in negotiations in good faith to sort these matters out in the best interest of all Territorians.
Madam Speaker, I thank the honourable member for the question. I have indicated that the Fisheries minister was immediately sent to Tiwi to continue to engage in respectful discussion and negotiation. I am hopeful that by negotiation in good faith we can resolve this issue. That is exactly what we intend to do, and I can provide further updates in time on the progress of these matters, but as you could fully appreciate, these are challenging matters.
We will engage in good faith to resolve what is a challenging issue. I believe we have the capacity because we have the genuine ability to engage in negotiations in good faith to sort these matters out in the best interest of all Territorians.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016