The Palaszczuk Labor Government is finally seeking public comment on fish management changes with a call for submissions on Fish Habitat Areas in Central Queensland.
Shadow Fisheries Minister Deb Frecklington said Labor’s net-free zones overseen by Bill Byrne was a prime example of a political agenda rammed through with no consultation or regard for science.
“Bill Byrne’s refusal to consult and meet with commercial fishers was disgraceful,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Labor’s treatment of the commercial fishing sector has been shameful resulting in the destruction of long-term, sustainable jobs without so much as a phone call to hard-working Central Queensland families whose businesses have been destroyed.”
Ms Frecklington said protecting key fish habitat areas was vital for all fishing sectors.
“But so too is full consultation with all stakeholders in any sector before changes are made.”
She said the fallout from the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s net-free zones had been terrible, deeply affecting a lot of decent, hardworking families.
“Calls this week from Bill Byrne and Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga for all interested stakeholders to provide feedback on proposed new fish habitat areas in Central Queensland is nothing short of two-faced when they refused to hear from commercial fishers over net-free zones,” she said.
“Here’s hoping Labor properly considers all submissions before making any more fisheries management decisions, because so far its agenda has been all about politics and delivering to noisy, self-interested minorities.”
Ms Frecklington said only the LNP was committed to sound, science-based fisheries management.
