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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 7 Hansard (27 June) . . Page.. 2091 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

of social responsibility, and I trust we can now look towards similar provisions in other industries.

I will be moving amendments to this bill which I will address in more detail when I move them. I am introducing a requirement for the minister to implement a fisheries management plan to provide an overarching framework for the action plan and conservation strategies adopted by the department. This brings in a greater degree of accountability.

Other amendments specify that exemptions to the licence conditions can be made for scientific licences only; that inspection of the register of licences be free of charge; that fish dealers registration is issued for seven years rather than indefinitely; and that a definition of "newspaper" be inserted in the dictionary in the bill.

I am happy to say that I have been able to work cooperatively with the government on this issue, and I understand that they will be supporting our amendments.

MR SMYTH (Minister for Urban Services) (10.15), in reply: Mr Speaker, I thank members for their support for this bill. It is time the act was updated. As has been stated, we now know a great deal more about our native species, which were often overlooked in the 1960s. Under the bill there will be no licence requirement for recreational fishing in the ACT. The bill gives the power to stop some of the illegal trade in over-quota or undersized fish, which are often sold in the ACT or routed through the ACT to other markets. Current value is estimated to be about $17 million a year. Perhaps the most pleasing aspect from my point of view is that we will double the stocking program this year to make sure that there are adequate stocks in the future.

I have about three small amendments that clarify three clauses in the bill. They give effect to the intentions of the bill. As Ms Tucker has already mentioned, her office and mine have been working today to come up with a set of amendments that culminate in a management plan for the fishing stock. That is acceptable to the government. I thank the Assembly for their support for what is a very sensible piece of legislation.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Clauses 1 to 4, by leave, taken together and agreed to.

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