Boating & Fishing Council comments on Garrett's demotion
by Jeni Bone on 27 Feb 2010
The Coral Sea and other natural assets fall under Garrett’s portfolio. MIAA
Despite a significant demotion, Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett will still retain marine parks as part of his reduced portfolio, much to the concern of the Boating & Fishing Council of Australia.
'The decision today is a substantial demotion - and portfolio stripping - of one of Kevin Rudd's most senior and most high profile Ministers, however Peter Garrett's new title Minister for Environment Protection is a worrying development,' says Dean Logan, national spokesperson for the BFCA.
'The Boating and Fishing Council of Australia therefore remains quite concerned for the following reasons:
'Over the past 12 months Peter Garrett has made significant decisions unilaterally and with absolutely no consultation with Australia's recreational fishing and boating sectors - the declaration of the Coral Sea as a Conservation Zone (nearly 1million square kilometres) is a perfect example.
'Secondly, the Marine Bio-Regional Planning Process - arguably the largest wholesale policy restructure with regard to how we use and interact with our commonwealth controlled marine environment in Australian history (since GBRMPA) - is structurally flawed and in disarray.
'The Mako and Porbeagle Shark issue was handled poorly and could have been adequately addressed with effective consultation 12 months ago.
'In our view the onus is now on Peter Garrett to learn from this and change his Ministerial and leadership style or face losing complete national industry support. We genuinely want to work with the Rudd Government but it must be seen as a genuine partnership. The start point is for Peter Garrett to effectively consult with the recreational boating and fishing sectors.
'In our view the Government will achieve greater environmental outcomes over the longer term if they work more closely with us. It is one thing to be 'passionate' (as described by the Minister today in media articles) but locking up large areas of water and considering them 'no-take and 'fully protected' with no effective consultation is not a balanced solution.
'More must be done and it really is up to Peter Garrett to show our sectors that he is genuine and serious.'
More at www.bfca.com.au
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