Commercial fishermen say Queensland Government has stopped listening
Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm invited Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Perrett, to the Whitsundays last week to meet with commercial fishermen who are worried about their future and the future of the industry, and say that the Queensland Government has stopped listening to their concerns.
Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm said the commercial fishing industry had endured many changes over the past couple of years and was struggling with the uncertainty of what changes the government may implement in the future.
“Like everyone else, commercial fishers are having to deal with the rising costs of living and costs of running a business,” Ms Camm said.
“It is not the time for the Queensland Government to be increasing costs associated with vehicle tracking monitoring systems.”
The industry has called on the government to review the science and data methodology used to make changes to the Spanish Mackerel industry.
“The changes to the Spanish Mackerel industry highlight the government’s refusal to listen to Queenslanders,” Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Perrett said.
“These changes have the potential to destroy many small businesses and possibly the industry, and the government won’t explain to the industry their data methodology even when it has been questioned by many.”
Ms Camm and Mr Perrett held meetings across the electorate listening to representatives from the agriculture industry, ranging from cane and cattle graziers to sawmill operators, fishers and aquaculture representatives.
“I encourage the Queensland Government to start listening to Queenslanders, especially our fishers and farmers that are drowning in red tape imposed by this out-of-touch government,” Ms Camm said.
Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP, fourth from right, invited Shadow Minister for Fisheries Tony Perrott MP, fourth from left, to meet with, from left, Matt Parsons, Buck Little, Ray Lisiewicz, Trevor and Teena Draper and Kevin Collins at Mandalay on Thursday to discuss issues facing commercial fishers.