kc
14-09-2009, 03:38 PM
BOSWELL ‘ECSTATIC’ THAT GREEN ZONE CONVICTIONS FINALLY SPENT
The Nationals Senator Ron Boswell said today that he was ecstatic that the long awaited amendment that would see criminal convictions for those fishing in a green zones regarded as spent has finally been proclaimed.
Today in the Senate a document, presented by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts (Minister Garrett), was tabled announcing the Proclamation of provisions in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 relating to spent convictions of certain offences (agreed to 25 June 2009).
Senator Boswell said that “the proclamation of these provisions has taken far too long but it is a relief that it has finally happened.”
“This is an historic amendment that will right the wrongs of the past.”
“The weight of a criminal conviction has been lifted from the more than 300 people who were convicted for fishing in a green zone before the penalties changed to include only a heavy fine for the same offence.”
“The convictions were totally unfair, but we have changed it. Today is the day we can put this behind us and remove those criminal convictions from people’s lives”
“This decision means that the Coalition has fulfilled the promise we made to these unfairly burdened convicted fishermen.”
“I have been working for two years to right the wrongs that bad legislation had inflicted on these people.”
“The decision will have the effect of altering convictions so they will be regarded as ‘spent convictions.’ This decision will effectively overturn the convictions and will apply to any amateur or professional fishermen who has a criminal conviction where the fine was $5000 or less.”
“The issue arose from a 2006 decision when the former Coalition Government acted to implement a fairer infringement notice system where those caught in green zones were still to be issued a fine, but would not necessarily receive the ongoing burden of a criminal record against their name.”
“However, this left the 324 fishers in a kind of ‘limbo’ where they had already been charged under the old system, and consequently had a criminal record documented.”
“Before the election I received advice from Prime Minister Howard’s office that they had identified a possible legislative solution to the problem. I had brought the convicted fishers to the brink of a pardon, but unfortunately the election got in the way of justice officials taking action.”
“Those convicted included grandfathers who went fishing with their grandchildren and were given a criminal record because they didn’t have GPS or proper charts.”
“This will bring an end to this sorry saga.”
ENDS
KC
Stike a blow. We did actually make a difference
The Nationals Senator Ron Boswell said today that he was ecstatic that the long awaited amendment that would see criminal convictions for those fishing in a green zones regarded as spent has finally been proclaimed.
Today in the Senate a document, presented by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts (Minister Garrett), was tabled announcing the Proclamation of provisions in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 relating to spent convictions of certain offences (agreed to 25 June 2009).
Senator Boswell said that “the proclamation of these provisions has taken far too long but it is a relief that it has finally happened.”
“This is an historic amendment that will right the wrongs of the past.”
“The weight of a criminal conviction has been lifted from the more than 300 people who were convicted for fishing in a green zone before the penalties changed to include only a heavy fine for the same offence.”
“The convictions were totally unfair, but we have changed it. Today is the day we can put this behind us and remove those criminal convictions from people’s lives”
“This decision means that the Coalition has fulfilled the promise we made to these unfairly burdened convicted fishermen.”
“I have been working for two years to right the wrongs that bad legislation had inflicted on these people.”
“The decision will have the effect of altering convictions so they will be regarded as ‘spent convictions.’ This decision will effectively overturn the convictions and will apply to any amateur or professional fishermen who has a criminal conviction where the fine was $5000 or less.”
“The issue arose from a 2006 decision when the former Coalition Government acted to implement a fairer infringement notice system where those caught in green zones were still to be issued a fine, but would not necessarily receive the ongoing burden of a criminal record against their name.”
“However, this left the 324 fishers in a kind of ‘limbo’ where they had already been charged under the old system, and consequently had a criminal record documented.”
“Before the election I received advice from Prime Minister Howard’s office that they had identified a possible legislative solution to the problem. I had brought the convicted fishers to the brink of a pardon, but unfortunately the election got in the way of justice officials taking action.”
“Those convicted included grandfathers who went fishing with their grandchildren and were given a criminal record because they didn’t have GPS or proper charts.”
“This will bring an end to this sorry saga.”
ENDS
KC
Stike a blow. We did actually make a difference