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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 7 Hansard (27 June) . . Page.. 2090 ..
The Assembly voted-
Ayes, 8 Noes, 9 Mr Berry Ms Carnell Mr Corbell Mr Cornwell Mr Hargreaves Mr Hird Mr Kaine Mr Humphries Mr Quinlan Mr Moore Mr Stanhope Mr Osborne Ms Tucker Mr Rugendyke Mr Wood Mr Smyth Mr Stefaniak
Question so resolved in the negative.
Bill, as a whole, agreed to.
Bill agreed to.
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
MR CORBELL (10.12): Mr Speaker, this piece of legislation replaces the existing Fishing Act 1967, which is a very dated piece of legislation. The Labor Party finds no objection to this bill. It is a sensible reform bill which deals with some of the inadequacies of the existing act and with some commercial fishing matters as well. The need for a comprehensive legislative framework for recreational fishing has long been recognised, and there is a need to deal with issues such as closures of fishing waters, prohibited sizes, prohibited weights and so on. This legislation does not need much further comment. It is a sensible reform which provides for a modern, updated legislative framework for fishing in the territory.
MS TUCKER (10.13): The ACT Greens will be supporting this bill. It brings the territory up to date in addressing the ecological and conservation issues that arise through various fishing practices. We can have no doubt that our understanding of freshwater and saltwater ecologies is substantially more sophisticated than it was in 1967 when the existing Fishing Act was implemented. Our enthusiasm for trout far outweighed our concern for native species. Our interest in, and responsibility towards, marine fish were minimal. As retailers and consumers of fish meat, we accepted very little responsibility for our actions.
Over the past 30 years, legislation notwithstanding, our awareness of the issues has grown. The connection between native fish numbers, freshwater ecology, salinity and erosion, for example, is commonly acknowledged. There were always people who had acknowledged this connection. That was well before 1967. But it is at least reassuring that the wider level of awareness has changed.
The provision to allow the territory to prosecute commercial fishers from New South Wales and other states if they sell or process excess-to-quota or undersized fish in the ACT is a good example
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