1
NEWS
Fishers seek assurance after Coalition funding cutbacks
Sunfish loses funding as boat-rego revenue redirectedThe Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF), the peak body representing the nation’s five million fishers, is calling on the federal Coalition to provide cast iron guarantees that it will adequately fund the recreational fishing sector if it wins in the 2013 poll.
ARRF is seeking funding commitments from the federal party following the decision by Queensland LNP Premier Campbell Newman to cut all funding for the state’s peak recreational fishing body Sunfish.
Sunfish has been advised by Fisheries Queensland that the $4.6m of the monies levied on boat owners for special purpose recreational initiatives would be cut by $2m and reallocated to employ fisheries staff and fund government business.
Among the current fisheries activities being axed are fish stocking, research, tagging programs, Fishcare volunteers and kids’ fishing days. All were previously funded by the recreational levy.
“The decision by Mr Newman to basically kill off Sunfish is very disturbing. Before he was elected, Mr Newman promised he would lead a ‘fishing friendly’ government,” Allan Hansard, Director of ARFF, said
It is understood that Sunfish’s annual Government funding was about $200,000. While that allowed Sunfish to operate effectively, it’s a fairly insignificant amount of money. Private funding looks likely to be forthcoming.
But ARRF says most of the Government funding of Sunfish was actually paid for by fishers, who contributed an $18 fee as part of boat registration. ARRF is riled that Newman will still be taking that $18 but fishers won’t be seeing any benefits from it.
ARRF says it is keen to work with the Federal Coalition on an approach that will guarantee sustainable funding for Australia’s recreational fishing community into the future.
“We would hope that Opposition fisheries spokesman Senator Richard Colbeck would accept our offer to ensure that nothing like this happens following a win by his party next year.
“We need Senator Colbeck and Opposition leader Tony Abbott to give Australia’s five million fishers cast iron assurances that funding required to grow the recreational fishing sector will be guaranteed," says Hansard, adding the ARRF is seeking similar assurances from the Federal Government regarding on-going funding arrangements.
Sunfish says it will have a meeting to discuss whether it maintains its apolitical stance on government decisions. It warns that the Government would be well advised to consider why the “IFISH and I VOTE” logo is so popular with anglers.
The anti-government uprising by anglers that stopped the Federal Government allowing the “super trawler” into Australian waters should be a warning, as one in three Queenslanders enjoy wetting a line each year. Image courtesy of Tourism Queensland.
Read the latest Boatsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the Boatsales Network's mobile site. Or download the all-new App.
Tags
Share this article
Written byBoatsales Staff
See all articlesStay up to dateBecome a boatsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe todayDisclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Contact
Advertise with us
International marketplaces
Consent
Download the boatsales app
