Senate debates
Tuesday, 27 March 2018
Questions without Notice
Marine Sanctuaries
2:24 pm
Steve Martin (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Energy, Senator Birmingham. This week the government introduced into parliament marine park plans for Commonwealth waters. Would the minister advise the chamber of the economic impacts of these plans on regional communities?
Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I thank Senator Martin for his question, which may be his first question. Indeed, I acknowledge his first question in the Australian Senate.
Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
In relation to the issue of Commonwealth marine parks and particularly the economic impact, I'm happy to inform the senator that these plans are critically important for all marine users—commercial and recreational fishers, the dive industry, aquarium businesses and tourism operators. Compared to the previous Labor government's proposed plans, the coalition's plans halve the economic impact to commercial fishers, including, in the senator's home state of Tasmania, entities like Petuna Seafoods, which operates through Commonwealth waters along the east coast and beyond and employs some 264 people. Our management plans for Australian marine parks give them certainty over their fishing grounds—
Senator Pratt interjecting—
Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
and ensure that a reputable, best-practice fishing business, like so many others across Australia, will get the certainty that it deserves.
Opposition senators interjecting—
Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
In addition to commercial fishing, these new management plans give greater recognition to the rights of some five million recreational fishers across Australia, individuals who support a wider economy around tackle and bait shops, as well as boating and charter fishing businesses. I note that tourism operators across the country have welcomed the mixed-use nature of our protections for the marine environment, which indeed still provide strong, robust protections. Ultimately, we hope this Senate gives the certainty to Australian marine operators that they deserve as well as the certainty of protection that the marine park plans we have laid in this place provide across our critical waterways.
Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Senator Martin, a supplementary question?
2:26 pm
Steve Martin (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I do have a supplementary question. Minister, what factors were considered in the development of these plans?
Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I'm pleased to inform the senator that the government has undertaken more than three years of consultation. This included an independent scientific review and public fora, holding well over 200 meetings around Australia and receiving some 130,000 written submissions. We've listened to that stakeholder feedback and have taken a targeted approach to zoning that protects more conservation features, like canyons, seamounts and reefs, in the most protective zones, compared with what was proposed back in 2012. In fact, it protects some 344 highly important critical features, compared to Labor's 331, but does so in a way that reduces the impact on commercial and recreational fishers. These plans will protect important habitats and species across our marine parks and will ensure, through careful targeting, that we not only improve conservation outcomes but reduce the impact on marine users.
Senator Cameron interjecting—
Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Senator Cameron! Senator Martin, a final supplementary question?
2:27 pm
Steve Martin (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Minister, what impact will these plans have on recreational and professional fishing sectors?
Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
As I've emphasised, these plans give certainty to recreational fishers that they will have access to 97 per cent of Commonwealth waters—
Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
within 100 kilometres of the coast and to 80 per cent of the marine park network overall. This is an increase in access, up from just 64 per cent under Labor, and represents an additional 400,000 square kilometres accessible for recreational fishing. But this is done by careful management and by ensuring higher levels of protection for the most highly valued areas of our marine parks, whilst ensuring access to those who rightly deserve it, where it can be done sustainably. Equally, when it comes to commercial fishing, we recognise the significant role of this billion-dollar industry to Australia, but we want to make sure their access is restricted in a way that sensibly allows continued investment in that industry whilst protecting key ecological and environmental factors in our marine environments.