PROPOSED MARINE PARK CLOSURES

Monday 8th August

 

Businesses Australia wide needs to be aware of what is happening to our coastline with regard

to marine park closures.

If you are unaware, as are many other people, of the processes that HAVE ALREADY been put into place by the Labor government in a deal struck with the Greens Party, then you need to read this press release as it will hopefully inform you of the urgency of the situation.

 

A large and new number of closures suggested cover excessively large parts of the Australian

Coastline and if these marine park closures come into effect, businesses and families not only

stand to lose a substantial portion of our fishing and recreational coastlines, but also the

revenue that these areas generate.

 

The Labor government have sprung these closures on us just prior to the election, giving

businesses very little time to gain a full understanding of the far reaching ramifications

that this proposal will have on industry across Australia. They have chosen these areas

on a quota basis with no scientific evidence to support their decision.

 

The closures are simply a deal made with The Greens to secure preferential votes in the upcoming election to assist the Labor party in winning the election.

 

The Global financial crisis although said to be over, is still significantly affecting industry across Australia, yet Labor and The Greens still deem it a viable proposal to discriminate against Australians through taking away their livelihoods by simply removing their places of work.

 

These proposed closures are no different to the government saying that you will no longer be allowed to build houses in Coffs Harbour, sell fuel in Newcastle or build boats in your factory.

 

What they are proposing with these marine parks by closing large areas of ocean is exactly that.

 

Businesses in anyway related to the fishing and boating industry will suffer! As will other businesses that rely on these industries for their livelihoods.

 

Don’t assume that it is just the fishing and boating industry!

 

These new proposals can easily be linked to already established national parks, something that will surely happen if Labor returns to power.

 

We will then lose the beaches and surrounding waterways as well.

 

The effect will then be even more far reaching.

 

We understand that marine parks are a necessity. If we intend to protect our Australian

coastlines and provide for our future generations, we need to establish sustainable policies

using scientific evidence gained by appropriate environmental studies and consultation

involving the correct people, NOT by randomly drawing lines out into the ocean with a

complete disregard for the businesses and people that it will affect.

 

In Mackay on Tuesday (July 27) Opposition Leader Tony Abbott announced the Coalition’s

policy. He announced there would be an immediate halt to Labor’s marine park roll-out so

that processes could be restructured to ensure a better say for all anglers and recreational

enthusiasts in park design and management.

 

He also announced that the Coalition’s Fisheries Minister would be a full partner in the

process with the Minister for Environment, and all decisions would have to be jointly agreed.

 

The full Coalition policy is available at www.liberal.org.au.

 

This issue should not be a political debate but unfortunately this has been used as a platform for

Labor to secure votes to remain in power. We don’t have a lot of time left before the upcoming

Election Day so the time to act is now.

 

Please forward this information to as many people as possible to ensure they are aware

of the proposed changes and can make an informed choice on 21st August, 2010.

 

Regards

Scott Littler

Managing Director

Bob Littler Agencies Pty Ltd

Ph: 07 3390 0105