Bob Katter (Kennedy, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I have a question without notice for environment minister Burke. Is the minister aware that the LNP government reduced Australia's north-east ocean access to 18 per cent, closing down almost all fishing in Queensland, and is he aware of the extraordinary hypocrisy of the opposition deputy leader when his new state government has already announced a buy-out of most of what is left? Could the minister advise the House how his proposed Coral Sea closure can be explained to the world when our nearest neighbour has nearly 80 million people going to bed hungry whilst this proposal will reduce Australia, the world's biggest fishing area, to the world's smallest harvest—less than two per cent of the world average—shortening the three years before which Australia will become a net food importer: taking and not giving food to a hungry world. (Time expired)

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