Shooters and Fishers Party Marine Park moratorium bill passes both houses

The Shooters and Fishers Party MLC, Robert Brown, said today (Fri) he was delighted his Bill putting a five year moratorium on new marine parks or the expansion of existing sanctuary zones, will now become law.

He said the Bill was passed by the Legislative council a couple of weeks ago, and was last night sponsored through the lower house by Northern Tablelands MP, Richard Torbay.

“I thank Mr Torbay for his enthusiastic support of the Bill in the Lower House, despite opposition from the Labor Party; the independent member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper; Sydney independent MP Clover Moore; and Greens MP Jamie Parker”, he said.

Mr Brown said he was confident the new government will provide the necessary funding for a proper scientific analysis of marine parks and the efficacy of sanctuary zones.

“This science should have been done much earlier, before compliant Labor governments bowed to the Greens and made the declarations for purely political purposes.

“It’s time the Greens were exposed for what they are. They want to lock up land as well as water, without any regard for proper scientific management of either.

“Properly implemented, trial fishing in sanctuary zones will cause no harm. Recreational fishers have been locked out of the best fishing spots at the behest of the Greens.

“The Greens no longer hold sway over the Government, and I hope that with the passage of our Bill, I expect the Shooters and Fishers Party will be able to clear the way for fishermen to return to the places the Greens took from them,” Mr Brown said.