According to the news report the Western Australian Government has announced a range of new regulations last month which includes a $30 licence fee for boat fishing and a $20-a-day fee for demersal scale fishing. Upper House MLC Nigel Hallett told that he will support the Opposition’s disallowance motion to overturn plans to introduce the licences.
Hallett also explained that if the Government wants to protect fish stocks, it should impose stricter catch limits. He added that there is enough in the Legislative Assembly to not even reach the Upper House, so he think the dice has been cast and common sense will prevail. Hallett says there are already inspectors at boat ramps across the state who could enforce the limits.
The Fisheries Minister, Norman Moore, informed that he is unaware of any other Liberal MPs preparing to support Labor’s moves to block the introduction of the fees. He understand the reality of these things and if these people want to vote down the regulations then they really are obliged to give him an alternative. The Opposition Leader, Eric Ripper, says he is confident the fishing fees will be rejected.
