Tasmanians have their say: Turn back the Trawler

TASMANIANS HAVE THEIR SAY: TURN BACK THE TRAWLER
While Tas Liberals Try to Have a Bet Each Way

Kim Booth MP
Greens Primary Industries Spokesperson
Saturday, 21 July 2012

The Tasmanian Greens today gave their wholehearted support to protests across the state today in opposition to the arrival of the super trawler FV Margiris in Australian waters.

Greens Primary Industries spokesperson Kim Booth MP congratulated everyone involved in the rallies for an orderly but effective protest that would give the decision makers in Canberra a reason to sit up and take notice.

“Tasmanians have patiently listened to the soothing words of compliant politicians, greedy business people and so-called experts, and now they have at last had their say,” Mr Booth said.

“They have sent a loud and clear message that will be heard all the way across Bass Strait, in the offices of the decision makers responsible for allowing this vessel into Australia.”

“This trawler must not be granted a licence to operate, because doing so would be a gambling with people’s livelihoods and tampering with a sensitive fishery that forms a vital part of the ocean ecosystem.”

“The science is questionable, the issue of localised over-depletion hasn’t been addressed, and the broader impacts have not begun to be considered.”

Mr Booth said that the Tasmanian Liberals were today trying to create a false impression that had changed their position on the trawler.

“This is simply pure opportunism by the Liberal Party, because their position on this issue has not changed one bit,” Mr Booth said.

“It’s clear to all Tasmanians that the Liberals are putting greed and self interest ahead of the simple right of all Tasmanians to catch a fish.”

“From day one the Liberals have been cheering on the arrival of the FV Margiris, and the fact the Federal Liberal Party is still one hundred percent in support tells us the real story.”

“The Greens are the only party that has stood up on this issue, because we believe that future generations of Tasmanians should also to expect to be able to catch a fish when they drop a line in the water.”

“The Tasmanian Liberals will do anything, say anything and promise anything if they think there’s a vote to be had.”

“This is nothing more than a greedy grab for cash, and the Greens will stand up with Tasmanians to oppose the super trawler until the day we see it disappearing back over the horizon, or preferably sold for scrap.”

“Recreational fishing is Tasmania’s favourite pastime, a way that families and friends to come together to put nutritious food on the dinner table.”

“Wild caught fish are one of the healthiest foods around, but if we continue to treat them like an inexhaustible resource then they’re not going to be around for future generations to catch,” Mr Booth said.

The Greens support people’s democratic right to peaceful, non-violent protest.

• Fishers vow to block trawler

• The Independent: Spanish fish barons admit taking illegal catches in UK waters

First published: 2012-07-21 04:22 PM

SUPER TRAWLER: LABOR/LIBERAL NEED TO GET OFF THE FENCE
Tripartite Pressure Needed on Commonwealth

Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader
Monday, 23 July 2012

The Tasmanian Greens are calling on Tasmanian Labor and Liberal MPs commit to a tripartite position in opposition to the super trawler FV Margiris.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP welcomed moves by Tasmanian Labor Senators to raise questions with the Prime Minister, but said that more decisive action was needed to put pressure on the Federal Government.

“It’s not good enough to just be asking questions, what’s needed is for Labor and Liberal to stand up for the community’s interests and put pressure on both Julia Gillard and Joe Ludwig to turn back the trawler.”

“Tasmanian Labor and Liberal members have been slipping and sliding all over the place on this issue, with some supporting the super trawler, some opposing it and the rest having a bet each way.”

“We need a strong tripartite position calling on the Federal Government to listen to community concerns and to deny the FV Margiris a licence to operate in Australian waters.”

“After initially cheering on the arrival of the Margiris, the Tasmanian Liberals are now trying to convince people they don’t support the trawler.”

”Tasmanians only need to look at Senator Richard Colbeck’s continued enthusiastic support for the super trawler to see the real story.”

“It’s only a matter of weeks before the ship arrives in Tasmania, and time is running out for Labor and Liberal to commit to a position and head off a major public backlash.”’

“The Greens are the only party who have had a clear position from day one to fight to turn back the trawler, in support of sustainable local fishing,” Mr McKim said.

• Herald-Sun, Monday: Protest Armada to greet trawler … Sea Shepherd, Greenpeace