Tuna industry left to flounder by Federal Government

The Federal Government has hung Australia’s tuna fishermen, their families and communities out to dry with a decision to support a drastic cut to Southern Bluefin Tuna quotas.

Federal Coalition spokesman for Fisheries, Senator Richard Colbeck, said the Federal Fisheries Minister, Tony Burke, had been deafening in his silence on this critical issue, particularly for South Australia’s Port Lincoln community.

“Despite the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) making its decision on the Southern Bluefin Tuna quota for Australia, the Minister has not uttered a single word on the matter,” Senator Colbeck said.

“Tuna fisherman, their families and local communities are left wondering what their futures are.

“When I attempted to get answers out of Minister Burke’s departmental officers about this issue last week in Senate Estimates hearings, a veil of secrecy was thrown over the matter. They refused to disclose any information, supposedly under the order of Minister Burke.

“Minister Burke must step out today and make a full ministerial statement about the cut to Australia’s quota for Southern Bluefin Tuna.

“The Minister must explain what position his departmental officers took to the CCSBT meeting in South Korea last week and whether they fought to reduce the impact on Australia’s tuna industry.

“Does he see as unfair that the Japanese quota will effectively increase, despite them having admitting to massively overfishing in the past?

“Further, and most importantly, Minister Burke must outline how the Federal Government intends to support the tuna fishing businesses of Port Lincoln and other localities around Australia.

“Will Minister Burke stand by while thousands of direct and indirect industry jobs are put at threat or will he take immediate action to support the industry and local communities?

“Given the Rudd Government went to South Korea with a plan to cut tuna quotas, it should also immediately have a plan to support the tuna industry.”
SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry