SNAPPER FISHERY

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:04): Supplementary question: will the minister give a commitment to bring back the basis upon which the determination was made to have a different limit for charter boats with four to six passengers as against the boats that are carrying seven passengers or more?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (15:04): The opposition complained about my lengthy answer given that this same question was asked not very long ago and I gave the answer then—it was a judgement call, it was a set of principles for the long-term sustainability of the fishery. So, I gave that answer then.

I answered the same question again after I had already answered the question, so I tried to give an even more detailed answer, and he still has not listened. There was a set of principles. We applied them as fairly and as evenly across the sector as possible to try to preserve the fishery into the long term. I can only repeat the answer, and I would hope that the honourable member would listen this time so that I do not have to repeat the same thing over and over again.