Ron Boswell (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Senator Conroy. Is the minister aware of the concerns raised by Allan Hansard, the CEO of the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation, which represents five million recreational fishers, when he says the marine bioregion closures will lock fishers out of Australia's oceans and many iconic fishing spots and that mums, dads and kids will be banned from trying to catch fish? The government has said it will compensate commercial fishermen for losses resulting from the marine bioregion closures. What form of compensation does the government intend to offer recreational fishermen, who are normally blue-collar workers, who have been let down badly by the Greens-Labor alliance that has locked them out of their traditional fishing areas?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Boswell for his question, although I have to start by rejecting the premise of it. The Gillard government is committed to delivering a national network of marine reserves to protect our precious marine environment for future generations. The government has announced where these protected regions will be, and this provides certainty for industry. We have designed the reserves to avoid impact on fishers and regional communities as much as possible. We will be delivering an adjustment package in the vicinity of $100 million. That will be worked through on a case-by-case basis.

These new reserves will not stop recreational fishers from doing what they love. The bottom line is that, for 96 per cent of the ocean from the shore out to 100 kilometres, access to recreational fishing remains unchanged. The job of the government now is to work with industry to get the management and adjustment policies in place and done right. The announced reserve plans will not come into effect until we have the right management arrangements and assistance measures in place.

The minister understands and recognises the importance of the fishing industry right around Australia. The minister is a strong supporter of Australian fishers and Australian fisheries. Our fisheries are in top shape, they are well managed and the industry has a positive future. Our fishers are innovative, productive, compassionate— (Time expired)

Ron Boswell (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I have a supplementary question. Is it the government's intention to compensate fishing tackle shops, charter fishing operators, marine dealers, fish processors, the outboard motor industry and any other associated marine industries for the loss of business that will result from the lockout of both commercial and recreational fishers?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government will deliver an assistance package in the vicinity of $100 million. That will be worked through on a case-by-case basis. This adjustment will flow before the reserves are activated. There will be a range of impacts on industry. Now that the final reserves have been announced, we can work out who will need what. The minister will build with industry a tailored package to meet each of those needs. We are going to work to help those who want and are able to change their business model. They might change where they fish, how they fish and the type of fish they catch. They may also want to leave the industry entirely. We will build a package that can suit each of these needs. We will provide direct business support— (Time expired)

Ron Boswell (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Is the minister aware of Mr Hansard's statement that recreational anglers have been locked out of Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea, Geographe Bay, the Perth trench, Dampier and other areas and that there will be 'significant implications on the coastal communities that support recreational fishing'? Will the government offer compensation to the coastal communities that will lose significant revenue through tourism and visitations from amateurs who want to fish in these areas?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think what is relevant here is the fact that the governments are committed to a compensation package on a case-by-case basis. But I would like to draw the chamber's and the President's attention to a flyer that has come to my attention called 'Save our marine life'. It reads:

Many Curtin residents are concerned about Australia's marine life and have contacted the Curtin electorate office expressing that concern.

John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, a point of order on relevance. Senator Boswell clearly asked: will those small businesses negatively affected by this decision be compensated? There was nothing to do with some bit of paper that has come to Senator Conroy's attention. Will you please direct him to answer Senator Boswell's question.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is no point of order. The minister is answering the question. He has 30 seconds remaining to address the question.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The flyer continues:

"Australia’s coastal waters are filled with unique marine flora and fauna, particularly in the south west coastal waters of Western Australia, and it is important that we encourage the protection and preservation of our marine ecological environment," Julie said.

Ron Boswell (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I rise on a point of order. You ruled on Senator Williams's point of order that this was a relevant answer. I cannot possibly see how this can be relevant when I asked a question on what compensation will be paid to communities and I am told that some piece of paper refers to 'save our seas' or something like this.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

'Save our marine life'.

Ron Boswell (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Save our marine life. Mr President, you cannot possibly rule that as relevant and be serious.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is no point of order. Senator Boswell, your question was a lot broader than that. The minister is being relevant. He has 19 seconds remaining.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

So here it is—'Julie said'. I heard a moment ago from one of my colleagues, 'Julie who?' Well, it may come as a surprise to some on the opposite side of the chamber that it is Ms Julie Bishop, advertising a 'Save our marine life' bumper sticker. Have you actually met Ms Bishop recently? Have you tried to stop playing the game of walking both sides— (Time expired)