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

The Australian government, to my knowledge, is having no such discussions. Senator Hanson, I will happily check with the relevant minister and make sure that I provide any update to that information if I am at all mistaken, but my understanding is that we do not have foreign fishing vessels in Australian waters in the way in which you describe. We have no plans to change that.

What has happened in relation to marine reserves is indeed about providing the best possible outcomes for Australian fishers, for recreational fishers and for communities that depend upon the fishing industry or recreational fishing activities in that regard. It's why we've gone through a genuine consultation process. Five bioregional advisory panels conducted more than 260 regional public meetings all around the country between February and August 2015. It's a consultation process that has been informed by extensive scientific analysis as well, which will lead shortly to the tabling of updated plans. (Time expired)