Position vacant: Federal Fisheries Minister

Industry is in dire need of a good Minister, according to Coalition Fisheries spokesman Richard Colbeck.

Instead, Fisheries Minister Joe Ludwig has been found missing in action on a range of critical issues across his portfolio responsibilities.

Mr Ludwig has said nothing in response to Environment Minister Tony Burke’s recent declaration that he would quash Seafish Tasmania’s ‘Plan B’ to use a supertrawler as a floating freezer.

“Instead of helping this operator reach an acceptable position, Mr Ludwig is complicit in exposing the Commonwealth to the sort of compensation claim he himself flagged before he was run over by Tony Burke the first time,” Senator Colbeck said.

“Regrettably this is all groundhog day for Mr Ludwig.

“As Minister for Agriculture, he rolled over on live exports. He was rolled on Marine Parks lock-ups. As Forestry Minister he was rolled on the sham Tasmanian IGA. He was rolled by Mr Burke on the supertrawler the first time around.”

Senator Colbeck said Mr Burke and Mr Ludwig had to agree this new plan was problematic in order for the ban to come into play.

“Minister Burke is getting used to having his way. He ignored departmental advice that the supertrawler was unlikely to have adverse impacts on seals, dolphins, seabirds and the fishery. He pushed through flawed regulations to stop the supertrawler the first time, and now it seems he is doing the same again,” Senator Colbeck said.

“So let’s see if Mr Ludwig is prepared to stand up for his patch, or decides to divest his responsibilities to Minister Burke yet again.”
SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK Senator for Tasmania Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Industry and Science