Mr WARREN - 2008-05-07
We all know that fishing is very popular in the Territory. It contributes significantly to our great lifestyle, businesses, and actually creates jobs. Can you please advise the House what Budget 2008-09 will deliver anglers to ensure that fishing remains the lure of the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. He is a very keen recreational fisherman. As we know, fishing is the lure of the Territory and it is more popular than anything else in the Territory. It makes a very important contribution to our lifestyle and to our economy. Over 100 000 tourists a year come to the Northern Territory just to wet a line, and we have more boats per capita than anywhere else in Australia.
The Treasurer’s Budget 2008-09 does more for the Territory’s great lifestyle, and is also investing into the future of the Northern Territory fisheries. The Northern Territory government has increased investment for anglers in the 2008-09 Budget. I am pleased to say that $1m has been allocated for infrastructure for this year. That is $500 000 more than last year. We will work closely with anglers and the associations to work out what the priorities are for upgrading the areas around our coast.
We have also committed to the future of recreational fishing by announcing a $4.6m boat ramp at East Arm and other facilities there to help recreational fishermen. Tenders have also been called for the pontoon at Dinah Beach that will help a lot of fishermen get in and out of their boats without getting their feet wet.
Fishing experience into the future has been assured by this government. We are committed to investing in fishing. We will ensure that fishing is the lure of the Territory into the future. I thank my fishing division for the work that they have done. I know they have worked closely with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure to look at some of this work to be undertaken.
However, Madam Speaker, if the Leader of the Opposition had his way, none of this would have happened, because he would have sacked a lot of public servants.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. He is a very keen recreational fisherman. As we know, fishing is the lure of the Territory and it is more popular than anything else in the Territory. It makes a very important contribution to our lifestyle and to our economy. Over 100 000 tourists a year come to the Northern Territory just to wet a line, and we have more boats per capita than anywhere else in Australia.
The Treasurer’s Budget 2008-09 does more for the Territory’s great lifestyle, and is also investing into the future of the Northern Territory fisheries. The Northern Territory government has increased investment for anglers in the 2008-09 Budget. I am pleased to say that $1m has been allocated for infrastructure for this year. That is $500 000 more than last year. We will work closely with anglers and the associations to work out what the priorities are for upgrading the areas around our coast.
We have also committed to the future of recreational fishing by announcing a $4.6m boat ramp at East Arm and other facilities there to help recreational fishermen. Tenders have also been called for the pontoon at Dinah Beach that will help a lot of fishermen get in and out of their boats without getting their feet wet.
Fishing experience into the future has been assured by this government. We are committed to investing in fishing. We will ensure that fishing is the lure of the Territory into the future. I thank my fishing division for the work that they have done. I know they have worked closely with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure to look at some of this work to be undertaken.
However, Madam Speaker, if the Leader of the Opposition had his way, none of this would have happened, because he would have sacked a lot of public servants.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016