Council
22 November, 2024
Red tape cut for fishers
THE Liberals and Nationals have won the fight to ensure commercial fishers will be spared onerous red-tape that threatened their livelihoods.
In a press release issued late last week, Member for South West Coast (and Shadow Minister for Fishing and Boating) Roma Britnell said federal government legislation had cast a dark shadow over the fishing industry with fears of unprecedented “good repute” rules being implemented.
“Fishers, their families and the families of those throughout the seafood supply chain would have been required to meet good repute standards,” she said.
The fishing industry faced the gruelling and distressing task of having to carry out background checks on their staff, their families, suppliers and their families.
“There would have been no right of appeal to a decision before a seafood licence was suspended, causing widespread stress throughout the fishing industry,” the statement read.
Under concessions, only the licence holder – and not associates or families – would need to be deemed of “good repute”, which is aimed at ensuring they treat the safety of food as paramount and maintain accurate records for food safety purposes.
The right to appeal a decision to suspend license on grounds of “good repute” will also remain.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Emma Kealy, said the concessions and clarity were a win for common sense.
“It would have been unnecessary bureaucratic madness to cast the net so wide on who is of good repute,” Ms Kealy said.
“I have spoken to many communities along Victoria’s coastline who were deeply concerned by the potential impact on local jobs and the local economy.
“If this had gone ahead, the Allan Labor Government was making moves to steal the seafood platter off your Christmas lunch table.”
“The Liberals and Nationals amendment provides much needed security and confidence for this important sector, which allows Victorians to enjoy fresh and local seafood,” Ms Britnell added.
