Ms FINOCCHIARO - 2014-05-13
Can you please update the House on the process of permit-free fishing access along intertidal waters?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for her question. A large number of fishermen who will take advantage of these new arrangements live in her electorate, and I am sure she is representing their interests very well.
Our government is continuing to support Indigenous development opportunities by providing $2.7m in the 2014-15 budget towards permit-free fishing access to the intertidal waters overlying Aboriginal land. This is great news for commercial and recreational fishos in the Territory, as well as keen anglers who are lured to the NT every year to try their luck during our peak fishing seasons.
As a key part of 2014 budget funding, the Indigenous Community Marine Ranger Program will be further strengthened and funding will go towards scientific and technical skills, allowing them to participate in scientific research. That is a great outcome for them.
The program will include the provision of enhanced compliance training and stronger powers for marine rangers so they can work more closely with water police officers and undertake enforcement activities on our waterways. This is about transitioning Indigenous people working in these ranger programs into real jobs. Improved consultation and involvement of traditional owners in fisheries management processes is also a part of the package. Agreements highlight the need for fishers to respect and recognise the cultural importance of the waters they visit.
Ms Lawrie: What agreements?
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A fishing mentoring program will also be included in funding, which will provide training and skills development in commercial fishing …
Ms Walker: You have to have a permit to be on an Aboriginal land trust
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: … allowing more Indigenous people to participate in the seafood industry. The opposition is trying to talk over the top of me, but this is a good news story.
That last paragraph about giving Aboriginal people the skills and training they need to participate in …
Ms Lawrie: How about getting their agreement?
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Listen to me, Leader of the Opposition … in commercial fishing.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! We have given an enormous amount of latitude, but the behaviour of the Opposition Leader now requires restraint.
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down, member for Port Darwin.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: This allows more people to participate in a meaningful way in the seafood industry; it is about real jobs and employment opportunities.
Our government will continue negotiations with traditional owners across Arnhem Land to provide similar development opportunities for permit-free access to the Territory’s coastline, in the wake of the Blue Mud Bay High Court decision. Since coming to government, the Country Liberal Party has ramped up Blue Mud Bay as a priority and reached a number of agreements for long-term benefits for these coastal communities. Unlike Labor, this government has established a good working relationship with the Tiwi Land Council and is close to finalising an agreement for permit-free access to the southern and eastern areas of Melville and Bathurst Islands, including the Aspley Strait, while protecting the economic viability of the Tiwi-owned fishing lodges.
The opposition does not like to hear good news, but this is very good news for the future economic benefits for Aboriginal people across the Northern Territory coastline.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for her question. A large number of fishermen who will take advantage of these new arrangements live in her electorate, and I am sure she is representing their interests very well.
Our government is continuing to support Indigenous development opportunities by providing $2.7m in the 2014-15 budget towards permit-free fishing access to the intertidal waters overlying Aboriginal land. This is great news for commercial and recreational fishos in the Territory, as well as keen anglers who are lured to the NT every year to try their luck during our peak fishing seasons.
As a key part of 2014 budget funding, the Indigenous Community Marine Ranger Program will be further strengthened and funding will go towards scientific and technical skills, allowing them to participate in scientific research. That is a great outcome for them.
The program will include the provision of enhanced compliance training and stronger powers for marine rangers so they can work more closely with water police officers and undertake enforcement activities on our waterways. This is about transitioning Indigenous people working in these ranger programs into real jobs. Improved consultation and involvement of traditional owners in fisheries management processes is also a part of the package. Agreements highlight the need for fishers to respect and recognise the cultural importance of the waters they visit.
Ms Lawrie: What agreements?
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A fishing mentoring program will also be included in funding, which will provide training and skills development in commercial fishing …
Ms Walker: You have to have a permit to be on an Aboriginal land trust
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: … allowing more Indigenous people to participate in the seafood industry. The opposition is trying to talk over the top of me, but this is a good news story.
That last paragraph about giving Aboriginal people the skills and training they need to participate in …
Ms Lawrie: How about getting their agreement?
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Listen to me, Leader of the Opposition … in commercial fishing.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! We have given an enormous amount of latitude, but the behaviour of the Opposition Leader now requires restraint.
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down, member for Port Darwin.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: This allows more people to participate in a meaningful way in the seafood industry; it is about real jobs and employment opportunities.
Our government will continue negotiations with traditional owners across Arnhem Land to provide similar development opportunities for permit-free access to the Territory’s coastline, in the wake of the Blue Mud Bay High Court decision. Since coming to government, the Country Liberal Party has ramped up Blue Mud Bay as a priority and reached a number of agreements for long-term benefits for these coastal communities. Unlike Labor, this government has established a good working relationship with the Tiwi Land Council and is close to finalising an agreement for permit-free access to the southern and eastern areas of Melville and Bathurst Islands, including the Aspley Strait, while protecting the economic viability of the Tiwi-owned fishing lodges.
The opposition does not like to hear good news, but this is very good news for the future economic benefits for Aboriginal people across the Northern Territory coastline.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016