Abetz refuses to say if super trawler ban will be made law …

LIBERAL Senator Eric Abetz yesterday refused to clarify whether banning super trawlers in Australian waters would be legislated.

In Senate question time, Greens spokesperson on fisheries Senator Peter Whish-Wilson asked the government to explain Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s comments on Tuesday about the super trawler.

Mr Abbott said the super trawler “was banned, it will stay banned”.

Yesterday, Senator Whish- Wilson, holding a copy of The Advocate’s front page on Wednesday ( here ), asked three times how the government would ensure that super trawlers would stay banned.

Three times Senator Abetz, the Minister Representing the Prime Minister in the Senate, refused to go beyond the Prime Minister’s original comments.

Senator Whish-Wilson said that without legislation to permanently ban super trawlers, the Margiris could be back and fishing off Tasmania’s coast by October.

“Talk is cheap,” he said.

Read the full article in The ADvicate here (includes video of Senator Abetz answer)

• Peter Whish-Wilson: Three times denied. Government refuses to answer how Super Trawler “stays banned” Three times Senator Whish-Wilson asked how the government will ensure that Super Trawlers will “stay banned.” And three times the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Eric Abetz refused to go beyond the Prime Minister’s original comments. Senator Whish-Wilson said, “Without legislation to permanently ban Super Trawlers, the Margiris could be back and fishing off Tasmania’s coast by October. “Talk is cheap. Tony Abbott has already left a trail of broken environmental promises. “This is clearly another one.

• Call for clear and consistent approaches to coastal planning and management