Call on all political parties to back the Greens plan to deny super trawlers commercial access to our ports
Greens Primary Industries spokesperson Kim Booth MP today launched the Tasmanian Greens policy initiative to direct Tasports to refuse commercial access to super trawlers in all Tasmanian ports.
Mr Booth said that Tasmanian ports are owned and managed by Tasports, a state-owned company, on behalf of Tasmanians.
“Refusing commercial access to super trawlers in all Tasmanian ports, would be a significant step in achieving an Australia-wide ban,” said Mr Booth
“Tasmanians don’t want super trawlers in Tasmanian or Australian waters. Both the Liberal and Labor parties have balked at banning super trawlers at a Federal level.”
“Refusing commercial access to all Tasmanian ports will be a clear signal to the Abbott-led Liberal government that Tasmanians will stand up together against this threat to our fisheries.”
“Make no mistake, Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck is desperate to see a super trawler back in Australian waters and will roll out the red carpet for it to dock in Devonport.”
“Tasmania led the nation in standing up against the Margiris in 2012. If Tasmania moves now to deny commercial access then each state will be encouraged to follow suit and the trawler will have nowhere to go.”
“If all states deny commercial access, then it makes it very difficult for a super trawler to operate anywhere in Australian waters, no matter what the Abbott-led Liberal government does.”
“I am calling on both the Tasmanian Liberal and Labor parties to commit to support our fisheries by denying super trawlers commercial access to our ports. The Greens are committed to move for this in parliament at the earliest opportunity after the election and we’re calling on Labor and Liberal to match our commitment.”
Greens Primary Industries spokesperson Kim Booth
