Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

One of the biggest environmental campaigns we have seen in the last few years in this country has been on the back of a supertrawler coming to this country to employ industrial-scale fishing in the small pelagic fishery. We managed to get a temporary ban put in place on supertrawlers entering our waters, subject to some scientific research and studies which are now underway. Approximately $1 million has gone into looking at the uncertainties evident in this fishery, which will certainly guide us on future fisheries management in this country. I note that, with four to five days left of parliament and the possibility—some say 'likelihood'—of a change of government, a new federal environment minister can remove this ban. I would like to make it very clear that the recreational fishers, the scientists, the people who supported this ban being put in place—and many of them have recently spoken on the Catalyst program—would like to see the opposition today make a clear statement of their support for maintaining the science— (Time expired)

Question agreed to.