Press Releases: Ray Hopper and Mark Robonson, LNP

[TimiBoy]

Ray Hopper MP

Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Food Security

Member for Condamine

16 December, 2010

Broke Labor set to gouge rec fishing



THE broke Bligh government was set to set gouge Queensland recreational fishers with annual licence fees, the State Opposition said today.



LNP Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Food Security Ray Hopper said Labor’s latest plan had nothing to do with sustainable fish management, but everything to do with ripping-off Queensland’s 750,000 recreational fishers.



“Nice Christmas present for anyone who wets a line on the weekend,” Mr Hopper said.



“Minister Mulherin has been told to rake in cash and appease the Greens …that’s why he’s floated the snapper licences and banned snapper fishing for six weeks at peak time.”

Mr Hopper said every recreational fisher, representative fishing groups and independent marine scientists could see straight through Minister Mulherin’s double standards.



“Even Mr Mulherin’s own independent scientific study found there was insufficient evidence available to make any sort of informed decision on snapper,” Mr Hopper said.

Mr Hopper said the LNP was totally opposed to Labor’s rec fishing licences.



“Anna Bligh and Andrew Fraser have looked at the numbers …there’s 750,000 recreational fishers in Queensland …this licence fee for snapper is the thin end of the wedge from a government that’s broke and looking at every possible avenue to gouge cash.”

Mr Hopper said the LNP was also totally opposed to any further closures, lock-outs or bans that could not be fully supported by independent scientific facts.



“The LNP is not interested in this nonsense from Bligh and Mulherin and fully understands the anger and frustration of recreational and commercial fishers and charter boat operators who are again being scapegoated,” Mr Hopper said.



“Our fisheries are fine and are already recognised internationally as being sustainably fished and managed …this is all about another Labor grab for cash.”

[TimiBoy]

Mark Robinson MP



Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Apprenticeships and Trade Training

(Assisting the Shadow Minister for Education and Training)



Member for Cleveland



16 December 2010



Where’s the science on snapper ban



THE BLIGH Labor Government seemed to be competing with Rugs a Million when it came to closures, LNP Member for Cleveland Mark Robinson said today.



Dr Robinson said Labor's only solution for sustainable fishing was more closures and now hugely unpopular plans for $70 to $90 fees to catch snapper which the LNP was totally opposed to.



“It’s the same as when Labor introduced Green Zones in Moreton Bay – no science, no demonstrated need, and still no discernible benefit to boaties and fishers and fish populations,” Dr Robinson said.



“Labor’s plan to hit recreational anglers with $70 to $90 fees and its ban for three species - snapper, teraglin and pearl perch - is further proof they don't understand fisheries management and cannot be trusted with the long-term future of Queensland's fish stocks.



“On July 17, 2010, Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin issued a press statement boasting only one of Queensland’s assessed fish stocks, snapper, had been classified as overfished.



“But this week he’s announced closures on snapper, teraglin and pearl perch after stating only snapper was under threat … why impose a ban on three …can any ban be justified? The Minister is 'lost at sea' when it comes to explaining his actions. And will Labor’s 3 species ban shift pressure onto other fish stocks …what does the science say?”



“Labor has failed to provide credible evidence to support the closure. Proper scientific research hasn’t been undertaken and until it is, Labor should refrain from closures because it has no idea what it’s closing, and what species should be included.”



Dr Robinson said the wonky statistics Labor was using to support its latest ban had been strongly challenged by Queensland's peak recreational fishing and charter boat groups.



“The LNP shares the anger and frustration of recreational fishermen, professionals and environmentalists who agree that fish protection measures can’t be based on telephone surveys which is how this Government made its decisions.



“The LNP does not support closures that are not based on science and hard facts. This decision is more about Labor appeasing the Greens with more closures than about good fisheries management.



Dr Robinson said charter boat operators, and other commercial fishers that rely on fishing for snapper, will have their incomes slashed severely for six weeks.



“Will the government compensate them for their losses and support them during the period of heavily reduced income?”



“Labor is closing fishing down so fast that buying your son or daughter a fishing rod at Christmas will soon be a thing of the past.



END

[Platitudinus]

Its all so disgraceful.
Perhaps next it will be a shore/inshore based ban on Bream, Flathead, Tailor and Whiting with another fee of $90 to catch those!
And closely followed by crabs, prawns and everything else.

Reasoned and constructive discussion with interested USER groups MUST come first.

Plato

[darrend65]

The lying disgusting cow must go before she breaks Queensland. I have never in my life seen a more hated premier who'll bend over and take anything the greens ask just for a handfull of votes, and her ministers bend over just as well.

I honestly don't know how they intend to police all the new rules/regulations they are dreaming up, but I suppose as long as they are getting a quid out of it they'll find a way!

[TimiBoy]

Yesterday afternoon I believe Ray Hopper stated on 4BC "No bans, no fees."

Cheers,

Tim

[nigelr]

Hopefully the Qld Opposition will see themselves as a good chance to topple the present incumbent. Then they may be sufficiently motivated to get behind the 'outdoor lifestylers' (for want of a better collective name) and get this flag up and flying.
This will then IMO mirror what will hopefully be happening in NSW in a couple of months or so.............it will be great for us down here to be able to get rid of our 'on the nose' Labour Gov't and give you all a bit of encouragement.
Cheers.

[Rhinoc]

I honestly don't know how they intend to police all the new rules/regulations they are dreaming up, but I suppose as long as they are getting a quid out of it they'll find a way!

Well she refuses to pay the police what they consider is a fair rise in line with CPI and I would suggest she then expects them to help enforce these nonsense regulations (along with fisheries). The fact of the matter is, she was a left wing tree hugger back at uni which she had to hide until given the Premiers position. Now those tree hugging tendencies she had to hide for so long are coming out more and more the longer she holds position. We need to get her OUT.

Rhino...

[finga]

Well she refuses to pay the police what they consider is a fair rise in line with CPI and I would suggest she then expects them to help enforce these nonsense regulations (along with fisheries).
Rhino...

And then in the second breathe lets the electricity mobs increase their prices by double the CPI.

[Lucky_Phill]

The quote from Ray Hopper was. " The LNP will not introduce any new fishing licence if we win power ".... or words to that effect.

What I didn't hear him say is that the LNP would " REMOVE " any fee ( licence ) imposed by the current government.

I intend to take this up with Mr Hopper asap.

( edited ...... email sent 3.34pm today )
Phill

[finga]

The quote from Ray Hopper was. " The LNP will not introduce any new fishing licence if we win power ".... or words to that effect.

What I didn't hear him say is that the LNP would " REMOVE " any fee ( licence ) imposed by the current government.

I intend to take this up with Mr Hopper asap.

( edited ...... email sent 3.34pm today )
Phill

Yeah Phil. It's all a play on words.
Sick him boy