Labor Abandons Our Seafood Industry
Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox and State Member for the Burdekin Dale Last met with frustrated constituents yesterday, to listen to their concerns regarding the Albanese and Palaszczuk Labor Governments’ recent announcement that gillnets will be completely banned by mid-2027.
With the Federal and State Labor Governments’ shock decision to ban the practice in many parts of North Queensland, the Federal Member for Dawson is concerned that local fisherman, regional businesses, and Dawson residents, are set to be adversely impacted.
“With hundreds employed within the fishing industry right here in Dawson, this shock ban has blindsided our local fishing industry and will leave many people jobless.” Mr Willcox said.
“These are mums and dads just trying to make a living for their families and feed our nation. These people are now left with an insecure future.”
This is on the back of the recent Federal Labor Government’s ‘Fresh Food Tax’, and ‘Truckie Tax’ all increasing the cost of local agricultural produce at the checkout.
“The gillnet ban will inevitably lead to a lower amount of sustainably caught wild fish being available to Australian consumers, which will drive prices up.” Mr Willcox said.
More than 200 commercial fishermen in Queensland will be adversely affected by this ban, and whilst the Minister for Environment Tanya Plibersek has mentioned there will be a compensation package, details around this are lacking.
The Queensland Seafood Industry Association has expressed disappointment at the lack of industry consultation by the Government and have grave concerns that there have been no discussions as to how the compensation will be calculated.
“This move will likely bring severe economic hardship to a number of coastal communities in my electorate of Dawson, and if forced through by the Labor Governments’, I will be demanding that all sectors of the fishing industry are fairly compensated.
“I invite the Minister for Environment, Tanya Plibersek and Prime Minister Albanese to visit Dawson and meet with our hardworking fisherman to hear firsthand how this policy will affect them and our seafood industry.”