Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

The short answer to Senator Hanson's question is no. What the Turnbull government has been doing is ensuring that there will be fair and appropriate use and access for both recreational and commercial fishers in Australia's marine reserve areas as well as ensuring, indeed, that marine reserve areas are appropriately places of protection. We have been working on making sure that marine reserves reflect a process of genuine consultation with communities and utilisation of scientific advice.

Senator Hanson—through you, Mr President—you were not in the chamber at the time in 2012 when the then government bungled the creation of new marine reserves. At that time, they trampled over sustainable maritime communities to achieve a political outcome of being able to grandstand with the Greens in relation to the structure of marine reserves. They rushed consultation and shut recreational fishermen in particular out of that process. I would encourage you, Senator Hanson, to engage closely with the recreational fishing communities about the failings of that process and what the coalition has sought to do since, which is to achieve not only an appropriate and better environmental outcome but also a better community outcome and a better economic outcome through our review into marine reserves. We want to make sure there is a sensible balance that protects the environment, protects stocks, supports a sustainable fishing industry, attracts tourism and provides cultural, recreational and economic benefits for coastal communities.

This is about ensuring that Australian jobs in tourism are supported, that Australian jobs in recreational fishing are supported, Australian lifestyles and recreational fishing are supported and, yes, Australia's fishing industries are supported by having not only appropriate access but also sustainable reserves for the long term, which is why we have gone through a lengthy but thorough process to get this right.