Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Abetz, the Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation. I refer the minister to the recent announcement of a $200,000 grant to study ‘the concept of levies for the establishment of a secure, reliable and independent revenue stream from recreational fishers’. Doesn’t the concept paper for the study make it clear that it will examine whether the new tax should apply to boats, trailers, fishing tackle, outboard fuel and even bait? Can the minister explain to recreational fishers why he is funding a study to develop a new tax on fishing? Given the hardship that families are already suffering because of rising fuel, food and childcare costs, how can the minister justify a new tax on recreational fishing?