Liberal’s super-trawler ban desperate in its hypocrisy

 Rockliff’s cynical ban on super-trawlers highlights government hypocrisy
 Liberal Government attempting to claw back votes lost to fishers and shooters in the wake of Okehampton Bay decision
The Hodgman Liberal Government is to be condemned for its hypocrisy in its announced ban on super-trawlers in Tasmanian waters after falsely accusing Labor of trying to shut down trawling two years ago.
Labor Leader Bryan Green said Primary Industry Minister Jeremy Rockliff was now guilty of the false allegations made against the Opposition in his hypocritical announcement of the super-trawler ban today.
“This is nothing more than a blatant attempt to win back those votes the Liberals will lose from recreational fishers after the decision on Okehampton Bay,” Mr Green said.
“The Liberal Government is doing exactly what it falsely accused Labor of trying to do in 2015 when we supported a motion in the Parliament which expressed disapproval of the Geelong Star trawler and all factory freezer trawlers.
“Mr Rockliff has sacrificed Petuna Seafoods which operates a trawler off the West Coast.
“Labor has never questioned that company’s management of those waters or its practices.
“Mr Rockliff and the government clearly are questioning those practices.
“What’s also clear is the Hodgman Government is gearing up for an early election in hurriedly sweeping hypocritical announcements like today’s out the door.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader