January 18, 2019 Minister Kelly goes low on fishers to defend nationalisation Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly’s claims today that the Local Lobster Program designed to put more rock lobsters into local restaurants had been a failure is a shoddy attempt to detract from his own ill-conceived plan to nationalise the rock lobster industry, according to Shadow Fisheries Minister Ian Blayney. Mr Blayney said Mr Kelly’s claim that lobster fishers were keeping 25 per cent of lobsters tagged for local consumption for themselves was a smokescreen from a desperate politician prepared to go to any lengths to defend his own reckless policy. “Mr Kelly has made it clear that he believes all fishers are greedy millionaires and this is his attempt to talk to that narrative rather than have constructive dialogue with the industry,” Mr Blayney said. “This is Mr Kelly, the union bully, living up to his reputation.” Mr Blayney said the industry had made repeated attempts in the past two years to improve and develop the Local Lobster Program but Minister Kelly had blocked all approaches. “Sixteen months ago the industry asked for the Local Lobster Program be almost quadrupled, but Minister Kelly refused the proposal,” Mr Blayney said. “After further industry lobbying, he reluctantly increased the catch so that fishers could tag an extra 50 lobsters for sale, direct to the local market. “Why would fishers want the program increased and why would the Minister agree to the increase if there were not the demand? “This is a Minister who seems hell bent on destroying an industry that the Government has made no contribution towards. “The real issue here is that the Government is seeking to take over 17 per cent of the industry which is causing huge problems for the financial viability of the industry.” Mr Blayney said if Minister Kelly’s relationship with the industry had broken down to the point where he could no longer bring himself to engage in constructive dialogue then the Premier must step in and take over the consultation process and find a workable solution. Media Contact |
