Mr McADAM - 2001-10-18
Can the minister advise the Assembly on moneys allocated by this government to assist in securing a long-term future for the Territory’s fish stocks and commercial fishing industry?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly. It is an excellent question because it is a very important issue. Commonwealth export guidelines aimed at ensuring ecological sustainability now require that for exports to be permitted for commercial fish species, in-depth research and management information must be provided. To help fund this research, the commercial fishing industry themselves have raised their licence fees by 50%, earlier this year. So they are doing their bit.
The previous government appeared to be doing the right thing by allocating $250 000 for this research for the current financial year, with no allocation into future years. But, I have been advised by my department that, subsequent to the allocation being made, the Under Treasurer, at the request of the previous Treasurer, directed that the allocation not be used. No reason was given for this decision.
Thus, my department has been unable to proceed with this very important development, which is absolutely necessary for the future operation of our commercial fishing industry. We could lose the whole export component of our commercial fishing industry if this work is not done.
I am very pleased to announce today that our government is putting that $250 000 straight back into where it belongs, and that research and development will now be done, and secure the future of our commercial fishing operations.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly. It is an excellent question because it is a very important issue. Commonwealth export guidelines aimed at ensuring ecological sustainability now require that for exports to be permitted for commercial fish species, in-depth research and management information must be provided. To help fund this research, the commercial fishing industry themselves have raised their licence fees by 50%, earlier this year. So they are doing their bit.
The previous government appeared to be doing the right thing by allocating $250 000 for this research for the current financial year, with no allocation into future years. But, I have been advised by my department that, subsequent to the allocation being made, the Under Treasurer, at the request of the previous Treasurer, directed that the allocation not be used. No reason was given for this decision.
Thus, my department has been unable to proceed with this very important development, which is absolutely necessary for the future operation of our commercial fishing industry. We could lose the whole export component of our commercial fishing industry if this work is not done.
I am very pleased to announce today that our government is putting that $250 000 straight back into where it belongs, and that research and development will now be done, and secure the future of our commercial fishing operations.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016