11 Dec New government dismisses chance to reverse Labor’s industry decimation

Queensland’s commercial fishing industry had a chance to be saved from ideologically driven decimation on Tuesday, with the Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) disallowance motion to reverse Labor’s gillnet bans in the Gulf of Carpentaria being debated in Parliament.

“The Crisafulli government had a chance to put its talk into action,” KAP Leader and Member for Traeger, Robbie Katter has said.

“We have already become a net importer of fish, and fish farms just can’t take up the slack. We are rapidly losing the ability to feed ourselves.

“The now Agriculture Minister was quoted before the election as committing to use peer-reviewed science to determine the future of Queensland’s gillnet fishers – not UNESCO driven ideology.

“The minister and the Government’s team have had two months to order peer-reviewed science or agree with us that there is no reason to wipe out Queensland’s sustainable supply of home-grown seafood.

“The Labor government put at risk our ability to have quality Queensland wild caught seafood on our dinner tables, and not overseas, poorly managed farmed fish.” Mr Katter said.

The KAP motion was voted down by the LNP and Labor parties.

“Labor had no regard for communities such as Karumba in the Gulf, preferring instead to be led by the ear by UNESCO,” the KAP leader said.

“The LNP still must demonstrate how they are any different.

“The KAP gave the LNP the opportunity to support Queenslanders, and not to pander to international environment lobbies, but instead they came up with reasons why it is too hard.

“The new LNP government will be judged on their actions, and not their words,” he said.

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