Mr KNIGHT - 2006-05-03
Territorians love to fish. Fishing also supports a range of businesses and jobs, particularly in the regional and remote areas. Can the minister please advise what the budget will deliver for anglers to ensure that fishing remains the lure of the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, yes, fishing is the lure of the Territory, and it will remain so - this government will make sure that it will stay as such. You are quite right, member for Daly: fishing in the Territory is iconic. We have one of the highest participation rates in Australia. After all, one in four households has a boat in their front yard or their carport. It is also a serious tourist attraction.
In a few weeks, we will be hosting the Barra Classics and the Barra Nationals. Hundreds of people will come from Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, paying thousands of dollars to participate in these to two iconic competitions. I believe my colleague, the member for Johnston, will compete in the Barra Nationals. I will follow him later and try to compete with him to see who can catch the bigger fish.
There are 138 fishing tour operators who service the tourist industry and they employ hundreds of Territorians. Together with the fishing industry and agriculture, fishing really is the lure of the Territory. This government is supporting the fishing industry. We are providing more than $1m, to be spent over the next three years, to acquire barramundi licences and the cost of net licences; $161 000 for Genetag, the project where samples are taken from fish without catching them, and $90 000 for monitoring the mud crab population to ensure the sustainability of the fisheries. We have also developed a monitoring program for shark fisheries.
We are continuing research into blackfish. There are some serious threats to the blackfish population in and outside Darwin Harbour. We will develop a harbour strategic framework for the Northern Territory major fisheries. We have spent $0.5m on fishing infrastructure. On top of that, we continue to fund the marine rangers because we are committed to protecting our resources from foreign incursions. I will give you a hint. This program is so successful, your colleagues in Canberra have recognised it and there is going to be a significant announcement - as I was advised by Mr Abbott and Mr McGauran - in next Tuesday’s budget.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, yes, fishing is the lure of the Territory, and it will remain so - this government will make sure that it will stay as such. You are quite right, member for Daly: fishing in the Territory is iconic. We have one of the highest participation rates in Australia. After all, one in four households has a boat in their front yard or their carport. It is also a serious tourist attraction.
In a few weeks, we will be hosting the Barra Classics and the Barra Nationals. Hundreds of people will come from Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, paying thousands of dollars to participate in these to two iconic competitions. I believe my colleague, the member for Johnston, will compete in the Barra Nationals. I will follow him later and try to compete with him to see who can catch the bigger fish.
There are 138 fishing tour operators who service the tourist industry and they employ hundreds of Territorians. Together with the fishing industry and agriculture, fishing really is the lure of the Territory. This government is supporting the fishing industry. We are providing more than $1m, to be spent over the next three years, to acquire barramundi licences and the cost of net licences; $161 000 for Genetag, the project where samples are taken from fish without catching them, and $90 000 for monitoring the mud crab population to ensure the sustainability of the fisheries. We have also developed a monitoring program for shark fisheries.
We are continuing research into blackfish. There are some serious threats to the blackfish population in and outside Darwin Harbour. We will develop a harbour strategic framework for the Northern Territory major fisheries. We have spent $0.5m on fishing infrastructure. On top of that, we continue to fund the marine rangers because we are committed to protecting our resources from foreign incursions. I will give you a hint. This program is so successful, your colleagues in Canberra have recognised it and there is going to be a significant announcement - as I was advised by Mr Abbott and Mr McGauran - in next Tuesday’s budget.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016