LIBERALS’ DUPLICITY ON SUPER TRAWLER EXPOSED

The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Tasmanian Liberals to be up front and honest about their position on the super trawler Abel Tasman, following Senator Richard Colbeck’s contradictory promise that an Abbott-led Government would give the vessel permission to fish.

Greens Primary Industries spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that the Tasmanian Liberals had unanimously backed a Greens motion in August last year opposing the operation of the vessel, and that they must be held to that clear position.

“While Senator Colbeck has been out promising that a Tony Abbott-led Government would send the super trawler fishing, Will Hodgman’s Liberals have been cynically quiet,” Mr Booth said.

“In August last year, the Tasmanian Lower House voted unanimously to oppose the operation of the super trawler in Australian waters because of the threat it posed, and continues to pose, to the small pelagic fishery.”

“It’s time that the state Liberals came out of the shadows and were honest with Tasmanians about their true position regarding the super trawler.”

“If they are still opposed to it operating in Australian waters, then they need to get on the phone to Richard Colbeck and make it clear that Tasmanians will not tolerate this attack on their fishery.”

“They should call on their Federal counterparts to support Greens Senator Peter Wish Wilson’s call in the Senate for the Parliament to legislate a ban on super trawlers.”

“All Australians should be alarmed at the Coalition’s support for Seafish Tasmania’s plan to use the super trawler as a floating factory, which could have a serious impact on the marine ecosystem around Tasmania.”

“There are still many unresolved questions around the science underpinning the small pelagic fishery, and the SeaFish Tasmania proposal for transhipment does not address those concerns.”

”The Liberals’ position smells like a rotting fish and if you can’t trust them on fish, what can you trust them on?”

“This is shades of Abbotts GST pledge, which changes depending on who he is talking to.”

Download: Amended Greens Motion passed by the House of Representatives in August 2012:

Super_Trawler_Motion_ATTACH.doc
Kim Booth MP Greens Primary Industries Spokesperson Thursday, 14 February 2013