A media release hot off the press from Joe Ludwig's office

I am just drafting a response - until I send you something more detailed, just be careful about too strongly supporting this straight away, as it turns out it just extends their ability to prevent other proposed supertrawlers temporarily and initiates a scientific review (as per the current one). This is NOT tough supertrawler powers - tough supertrawler powers would be a permanent ban on ALL supertrawlers... 

Will get back to you asap,

Rebecca Hubbard
Marine Coordinator 
Environment Tasmania

SENATOR THE HON JOSEPH LUDWIG

SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND

MEDIA RELEASE

LABOR MOVES TO RESTORE TOUGH SUPERTRAWLER POWERS

Labor Senator for Queensland, Joseph Ludwig, this week will introduce a private Senator’s bill to put tough powers on any future fishing Supertrawlers before they come to Australia.

Senator Ludwig said that in 2012 Labor stopped the original Supertrawler before it started fishing in our oceans.

“The threat of other supertrawlers has not gone away. The powers that Labor used to stop the first Supertrawler were opposed by Tony Abbott and the Liberals,” Senator Ludwig said.

“Under my bill new Supertrawlers will have to face the same tough response that the original Supertrawler faced.”

Labor’s bill will restore the powers introduced by Labor in Government after a 12 month sunset clause meant the legislation was no longer in operation.

“The Government has had six months to address this issue and either restore or replace these powers – because they have failed to do so it falls to Labor to act again,” Senator Ludwig said.

“These powers allow the Minister for the Environment, with the agreement of the Fisheries Minister, to declare certain fishing operations where they haven’t been used in Australian waters before. This provides for an expert panel to be convened for a period of up to two years to assess the science and impacts of new fishing ventures.

“If large Supertrawlers show up on the horizon Governments need to be able to respond appropriately. This means being informed by science of all possible impacts associated with large fishing vessels.”

In 2012 the Liberal and National Parties voted against these sensible measures from Opposition, however the Prime Minister recently said:

“It was banned with the support of members on this side of the House. It was banned; it will stay banned.

QUESTION TIME, MARCH 4 2014

Despite this tough talk there has been no action and no plans from the Government. The Liberals and Nationals will need to decide if they stand by their objection to these measures or if they support the Prime Minister’s current position.

Only Labor is taking action to protect our oceans, respect our fisheries and provide certainty to the community, the environment and business.

TUESDAY, 18 MARCH 2014

MEDIA CONTACTELLIOT STEIN 0400 082 352