During this month's Parliamentary session, Andrew Willcox, the Federal Member for Dawson, delivered an impassioned speech directed towards the Federal Government. His address focused on the recent prohibition of commercial gillnet fishing.
In a display of frustration, the MP vehemently expressed his concern that the Federal Government's actions are stripping away the livelihoods and economic opportunities of over 90 licensed fishermen in the North Queensland region.
“In June, a joint media release from Federal and Queensland Governments have said they’re going to ban gillnet fishing… no consultation with the community, no consultation with our fishermen, and short time frames! This is going to happen by the end of this year,” Mr Willcox said.
“I was talking to one of these fishermen, and he happened to have a daughter who’s in grade 12, a straight A student who wants to go to university to become a doctor, a GP, and we certainly need more of those in rural and regional Australia.
“And now, with the stroke of a pen from Canberra, this dream is being taken away. It’s absolutely disgraceful!”
Mr Willcox also questioned Parliament about the effects on the communities, detailing that it’s not just the fishermen’s lives who would be negatively impacted.
“As we know, the fishermen operate in a tough environment, out in the sun and out in the salt. So, they need a lot of shackles, ropes, floats, anchors, all those sorts of things. Without this, the chandlery shops are going to go out of business, and the ice producers.
“The boatbuilders, the repairers, they’re all going to go out of business. The outboard sales and service, going out of business.
“When you take the supply out, the price will go up. So, then, we’ll be relying on more imported fish. So, rather than having fish from our pristine waters… we’ll be importing lesser-quality fish, and prices will be skyrocketing!”
Mr Willcox exclaimed that he will “not be taking this lying down” and has written to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, on this issue.
“I’m calling on Minister Plibersek to come to my electorate, do some community consultation, talk to the fishermen, have a discussion, and see how the fishermen fish!”
Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox
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